The Vuwani Magisgrate’s court has refused bail to the 18 community members who were arrested for public violence, intimidation and malicious damage to property.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Eliah Malatji said 18 suspects had been arrested on Tuesday morning, January 25, when they were involved in “an unlawful “ protest march at the station. The people who were arrested were part of a group of more than 500 community members of Vyeboom, outside Vuwani, who were staging an illegal protest march at our gate on Tuesday, January 25, at about 09:00.”

He said the community was demanding the immediate release of Arnold Mulaudzi (29), who had been arrested in the early hours of Tuesday for public violence and intimidation. “We arrested Mulaudzi after he led a group of people who went to Tshinavhe Secondary School and instructed the pupils to go out of the school on Monday morning. The suspects allegedly told the pupils that the school would be closed until further notice." He said they were protesting against the "unfair process of employing people who were supposed to work in a project to build a soccer stadium and tennis court at the school."

“The process of employing people was done by the school governing body, but the suspect, who is the chairman of the civic [organisation] in the area said the process of employing the workers should have been done at the Chief’s kraal,” said Malatji.

The project was funded by the Lottery Board, through the Masia Development Trust.

Malatji said: “We told the community to disperse as their march was illegal, but they did not listen. Some of the community members started attacking our officers with stones and we fired rubber bullets to disperse them. Sixteen of the community members, aged between 15 and 38, refused to move out of the gate and we arrested them,” said Malatji.

Malatji also added that no person community member was injured during the incident, but he said a police officer sustained an injury to the head after he was hit by a stone which was thrown by one of the community members. He said the officer was treated for his wound at a local clinic and was released on the same day.

“The 18 suspects who are facing public violence charges and of malicious damage to property appeared before the court on Wednesday, when their case was postponed to February 28, while they are remanded in custody."

The suspects older than 18 are Tshimangadzo Tshilowa (27), Olga Makhado (27), Awelani Ramuhashi (20), Ndivhudza Mudau (19), Victoria Ramulifho (38), Shirley Mashau (32), Lucy Mukwevho (32), Avhashoni Mulaudzi (39), Nthambeleni Mamphogor (27), Rudzani Maphalu (20), Asbes Mashavhela (29), Makonde Murovhi (31), Ntshengedzeni Makwarela (28), Lucky Mathebula (23), Rdudzani Mudau (23) and Ricardo Mirir (20).

Malatji also urged the community to follow procedures by submitting an application letter to their local municipality, who will forward it to a magistrate’s office, so that they can be given permission to stage a protest march.