‘To die is nothing, we would rather all die’

“To die is nothing, we would rather all die,” said Mpho Mofokeng (32), a resident of Zamdela, Sasolburg, when asked whether they were not afraid after two people were killed in Zamdela yesterday.

Thirty-nine people accused of public violence and malicious damage to property appeared in the Sasolburg Magistrates’ Court today following violent protests against the merger of two municipalities.

Twenty-nine of the group, from Deneysville near Sasolburg, would apply for bail on January 30.

A handful of Deneysville residents outside the court were not happy about the news that their family members would remain in custody.

Patricia Tabane (22) said her 43-year-old aunt was arrested while watching the protesters yesterday.

“Police came running and everyone ran away including my aunt. She couldn’t run faster [than the others]. That’s when they took her into an Nyala,” Tabane said.

Mofokeng said some people were arrested when they went to school to fetch their children after the violence broke out.

“My younger brother was on his way to school when he met police,” he said.

The residents threatened to avenge the “unlawful arrest” of their relatives by setting the Deneysville police station alight.

State prosecutor Hennie Olivier said the bail application had been postponed because the group did not have legal representation. They applied for Legal Aid help in court today.

-Sapa