A 53-year-old member of the SA National Defence Force is one of the seven suspects who will appear on Thursday at the Namakgale magistrate’s court in connection with public violence that erupted in Phalaborwa, Namakgale and Lulekane last Friday.
Seven suspects aged between 23 and 53 were arrested in targeted raids conducted in identified locations over the violent protest in Phalaborwa, Namakgale and Lulekane last week Friday.
Police spokesperson Motlafela Mojapelo recounted how Phalaborwa was deserted after the R71, R40 and other subsidiary roads were blocked by protesters using tree branches, burning tyres and rocks.
The violent protests hugely disrupted tranquillity in the affected areas as children could not go to school, people could not go to work and shops were closed. More police members had to be deployed to quell the violence.
Mojapelo said two suspects, Peter Malatji, 50, and a 35-year-old woman, Mavis Malatji, were apprehended on Monday, and will appear in court on April 20.
The police will maintain their strong presence in the affected areas and more arrest would take place.