Angry protesters ran after a police van on Thursday last week, trying to get at two suspects facing several counts of housebreaking and theft.

The accused were being taken to the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court for their first appearance.

Two young men from Muchipisi village, Tlangelani Russel Baloyi (22) and Tlangelani Codri Chauke (22), appeared in the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court. Police spokesperson WO Alson Mapindani said the two faced several charges. “They were found in possession of several stolen items, such as TVs, cell phones, laptops, clothes and other items,” said Mapindani.

The arrest of the two was met with anger from the community of Malamulele township, who had been terrorised by crime over a long period.

Traffic came to a standstill during a march led by the South African Communist Party, Sanco and the Malamulele Community Policing Forum. They  demanded that no bail be granted to the two accused.

Local SACP secretary Muchini Baloyi said the township had been terrorised by criminals on a nightly basis. “We do shifts at night: some are sleeping while some patrol the streets until midnight,  and then others take over until morning,” said Baloyi.

“This is affecting the education of the children, as they sleep in fear. We oppose any intention to grant the suspects bail,” he added.

The memorandum was received by the manager of the court, Gezani Baloyi, who challenged the community to provide information to the police that will lead to the conviction of the accused.

The township of Malamulele has been much hit by a number of crimes, most of which have been unresolved.

In October 2011, a 22-year-old EPP Minga High pupil was shot dead at the township in his bedroom; three weeks ago, a 33-year-old mother of three, Rirhandzi Faith Maringa, was found murdered outside the township. The two cases have not yet been resolved.