Bail hearings involving several Eersterust residents who were arrested for alleged rioting on Monday this week have been postponed until next week on 21 August.
This has to allow investigators to verify their addresses before a final decision would be made to deny or grant them bail.
The arrested residents appeared at the Hatfield Magistrate’s Court in two separate groups on Thursday and on Friday and in both instances their bail hearings were postponed to 21 August 2024.
They face charges of public violence and malicious damage to property, this after several residents of Eersterust went on a rampage demanding service delivery and an end to City of Tshwane’s electricity cut-off initiative codenamed Tshwane Ya Tima.
On Monday, 14 residents were arrested during skirmishes with the police and another group of 11 were arrested on Tuesday, a day after the rampage.
On group who were arrested on Monday they are currently out on a warning and their case was postponed to 28 August 2024.
The second group who were arrested on Tuesday 1 was release because of a medical condition and the 10 people remained in custody until 21 August 2024 for formal bail application.
The unprecedented strike action by the Eersterust residents brought the township, which is situated next to Mamelodi on the East of Pretoria, to a standstill with businesses, schools and creches not operating and workers being unable to go to their jobs.
According to witnesses, roads were impassible after being blockaded with an assortment of debris, stones and burning tyres in the early hours of Monday morning and those who dared to go to work or school faced intimidation by the striking residents.
Patriotic Alliance PR Councilor Debyre Williams -Moses responded as follows regarding the arrest of the alleged rioters:
“We fully understand the deep frustrations related to service delivery issues including water and electricity shortages, however, violence and illegal activities are not the answer.”
Williams-Moses further said the individuals arrested have not only engaged in looting and road blockades but that they have also endangered the lives of many innocent residents.
“The Patriotic Alliance is here to ensure that our communities are protected from those who seek to disrupt and destroy,” said Williams -Moses.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to work tirelessly for the betterment of our people, addressing their concerns through dialogue, advocacy and legal channels,” she said.
Meanwhile, Laudium Atteridgeville Saulsville Civics Association (LASCA) leader Tshepo Mahlangu has urged the City of Tshwane to consider providing services to Eersterust residents to avoid violent protests.
“It can’t be correct that the City of Tshwane always wants to hold the aggrieved residents accountable to the extent of enforcing tough actions like shooting at them and arresting them,” he said as he pointed out that LASCA doesn’t condone violent protests.