Seven individuals who had been detained for engaging in public violence in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, received seven-year prison terms Gauteng police said. After protests in Alexandra organized by the Dudula movement on May 29, they were arrested.
An old woman had been evicted from her home by the Dudula movement. Instead, locals resisted and retaliated. According to reports, the group visited residents who were opposed to the eviction. After allegedly being shot at by Dudula members, the community allegedly fought back. Nine persons were hurt as a result.
“One of the accused, Simon Motaung was identified as the leader of the movement. All suspects were found guilty and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment which is wholly suspended for five years on condition that they must not be convicted of public violence during the period of suspension,” said police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello.
At the beginning of July, they were sentenced to the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court. Lieutenant-General Mawela, the provincial commissioner for Gauteng, welcomed the verdict and praised Sergeant Maswinginyi of the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Investigations for his quick investigation that resulted in a conviction.
“People should refrain from being part of public violence and destroying infrastructure as this amounts to a criminal offense which is punishable by law. May this sentence be a deterrence to those who think of being involved in public violence,” Mawela said.Residents of Alexandra allegedly tried to necklace a 40-year-old woman last month and assaulted her. She was accused by the community of belonging to the Dudula movement and of terrorizing locals.
A video of the woman going viral on social media shows her wearing two tyres loaded with boxes around her neck. While begging with the audience and assuring them that she is no longer a part of Dudula, the woman can be heard.
Police have acknowledged that she was nonetheless detained for her affiliation with the movement. Malicious property destruction and public violence are alleged crimes against the woman.A 23-year-old security guard was allegedly robbed in Welkom, in the Free State, on Tuesday by two males who held him at gunpoint during a service delivery protest.
“One of the suspects grabbed his shotgun from behind and took his personal firearm with seven live ammunition, an iPhone, tablet, iPad mini 4, identity document, driver’s license, two bank cards, and a firearm license,” said spokesperson Captain Stephen Thakeng.
“They dragged him into an open field where there were seven to eight additional suspects. The other suspects went to Welkom electrical site and left him with two suspects. The victim could hear shots being fired and all the suspects fled on foot including the two who were guarding him. He was rescued by security personnel and the police.”
He indicated that an armed robbery case had been reported for further investigation. The Welkom SAPS Detective can be reached at 082 848 8120, and Crime Stop can be reached at 08600 10111 if you have any information that could help catch the suspects.
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