EFF MP Zolile Xalisa was released on R300 bail and his 20 co-accused on warning by the Komani Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Xalisa and his co-accused face charges of public violence, malicious damage to property and contravention of the National Road and Traffic Act following a violent service delivery protest in the city on Monday.
Police spokesman Captain Namhla Mdleleni said the 21 were arrested on the N6 in Komani.
“There are another 10 who were arrested in Ezibeleni later on Monday evening.
“Seven of those 10 face charges of public violence and destruction of property while the other three face arson, theft and malicious damage to property.
“All 10 will appear at the Ezibeleni Magistrate’s Court on Thursday,” Mdleleni said.
Yesterday, scores of Ezibeleni and Mlungisi residents packed the Komani Magistrate’s Court to support the 21 who were in the dock.
As they entered the courtroom, some were limping and complaining of being assaulted. Loyiso Ngculu had a swollen right eye.
Zolile Matiwane of Matiwane Attorneys, who represented the 21 pro bono, said the majority of the accused were unemployed and argued that setting bail at R500 would be equivalent to denying it.
“Xalisa, who is a member of parliament, is the only one who can afford bail,” he said.
Speaking outside the court, Xalisa said he supported the plight of the Komani residents and called on residents to continue protesting until cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa addressed their problems.
“I condemn the burning of the halls and the looting. I support that the struggle must continue as these issues are affecting us all as residents of Enoch Mgijima,” he said.
Xalisa said they had been complaining about poor service delivery and alleged corruption by ANC members on issuing of RDP houses to the municipality for years – but nothing was done about it.
“There was a report which was done by the municipality but it was never released,” he said.
“We also blame the problems we have on the amalgamation of Tsolwana, Inkwanca and Lukhanji municipality. We were never consulted and these are the results of that.”
Xalisa claimed the police assaulted a number of people when they were arrested.
“We will follow those cases until someone is arrested for the assault on unarmed community members,” he said.
But Mdleleni said no case had been opened against the police.
lIn another case, Mdleleni said the Cacadu police were investigating a case of arson after a Emalahleni municipality office was burnt on Monday.
“No one has been arrested on the matter,” she said. —tembiles@dispatch.co.za..