Eight people including two 15-year-olds are expected to appear in court for public violence after they allegedly took part in a protest over land, and attacked security guards and burnt tyres in Capricorn.
The violent protest comes after three people were set alight and burnt on Sunday on a sports field in the area, allegedly by a “rogue neighbourhood watch”.
One of the victims has since been identified as Christopher “Siya” Habana, 33, of Capricorn.
Relatives claim he had attended a secret community meeting “to ask for forgiveness”.
The family denied the man and his friends were skelms while community leaders called for an end to mob
justice.
On Wednesday night, a group gathered at the Coastal Park dumping site on Baden Powell Drive in Capricorn and began burning tyres and attacking security guards in a protest over land.
James Booi, the newly elected chairperson of the Vrygrond Development Forum, says the group has gone “rogue”.
“We had a public meeting last week to address the development of the community and we did not take a decision that there will be a protest or a toyi-toyi,” he says.
“This always ends up in buildings and infrastructure being burnt and destroyed.
“The community is being held hostage by a group of hooligans.
“The people doing this are illegal occupants of a piece of land and we have been sending emails to all the
parties involved in the City.”
But City spokesman Jan Kruger told the Daily Voice the protest “was an issue for the police”.
Police spokesperson, Siyabulela Malo confirms security guards were attacked by the protesters.
“Six males between the age 22 and 35, and two juveniles aged 15 were arrested and are expected to make a court appearance once charged (with public violence).”