The police in Lichtenburg arrested 24 people for public violence, looting, and property destruction.
This arrest stems from an event on Thursday, January 19, 2023, in which individuals plundered, set fire to two trucks, and damaged property during public violence.
Twelve individuals between the ages of 21 and 32 were arrested and charged with Public Violence and Malicious Damage to Property, according to police spokesman Colonel Adéle Myburgh.
Additionally, ten people were apprehended for attempted murder and robbery.
On Monday, January 23, 2023, they appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court and were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
THREE OF THE ARRESTED SUSPECTS HAVE PAID A GUILTY FINE Suspects of murder, business robbery, and theft
Ten individuals, including Zimbabweans, were detained for attempted murder and robbery of a business. Image: JMPD
Myburgh reported that an additional 12 persons aged 19 to 34 were arrested for possession of stolen property and theft.
The authorities seized almost fifty sacks of cement and numerous steel poles.
Myburgh claims that all suspects appeared in court. Three admitted guilt and paid corresponding fines of R800, R400, and R1000.
“The remaining defendants were remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear before the same court on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.”
Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, provincial commissioner for the North West, condemned the public violence. He urged community members to express their discontent in a calm and lawful manner.
Kwena warned that lawbreakers would be tracked down and apprehended.
In a separate incident on January 27, 2023, eight male suspects, four South Africans and six Zimbabweans, were arrested for attempted murder and commercial robbery.
In Eikenhof, south of Johannesburg, the IIOC Undercover Reaction Unit of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and the SAPS Crime Intelligence arrested the suspects for attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a business robbery, impersonating Department of Labour officials, contravention of the immigration act, fraud, and possession of illegal firearms.
»24 people were apprehended by police for public violence«