Bail for Marapong rioters

LEPHALALE – The 14 people accused of instigating the Marapong riots on 7 September were granted R5000 bail each on Thursday.
The protest saw 22 busses, belonging to Lowveld Bus Service, torched while Marapong municipal office and the satellite police station were burned down. Some shops, shacks and the Marapong library were also vandalised.
During the bail hearing warrant officer Stephanus Johannes de Lange, of Lephalale SAPS, said that there was a meeting on the 7 September at the municipal offices in Lephalale. The meeting was convened between the Marapong Community Forum, SACP, the municipality and the police. “Some of the members who attended the meeting said that mayor Jack Maeko did not respect them and that they would take the law into their own hands,” De Lange stated. He added that it seemed like the members went back to the Marapong community to give feedback about the meeting which led to further unhappiness.
“Lieutenant Colonel Ramakgoakgoa phoned the parties and told them to stop inciting the community to commit violence. He was told that if the police want to do their jobs they must come and arrest them [the instigators] but they will take the law into their own hands.”
De Lange says that Lieutenant Colonel Ramakgoakgoa went to Marapong where he spoke to the community. “Five people were arrested based on the reasonable suspicion that they started the violence. They were interrogated and nine others were arrested at their homes with the information that was gathered.”
De Lange also stated that the investigation of the case was not complete yet and was postponed to 20 November.