Man arrested for torching a truck during protest
While acknowledging the importance of citizens’ right to protest, law enforcement agencies also have a responsibility to safeguard the well-being and security of all individuals. It is imperative that protesters exercise this right within the boundaries of the law. In recent events that unfolded on Wednesday evening, July 12, 2023, in the Ikamvelihle and Swartkops policing areas of Nelson Mandela Bay, discontented residents from Nomakanjane and Ramaphosa informal settlements took to the streets to voice their grievances.
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During the protest, the situation escalated as demonstrators blockaded the M17 Addo Road and resorted to throwing stones at passing trucks. Regrettably, one truck carrying oranges was set alight, though fortunately, the driver emerged unharmed. The police swiftly responded by launching an investigation and opening a case of public violence.
Another incident occurred when the driver of a manganese truck, attempting to evade the protestors and avoid the onslaught of stones, lost control and collided with a residential wall. These distressing incidents underscore the need for maintaining order during demonstrations to prevent such accidents.
Following the volatile events, members of the Police Flying Squad arrested a 29-year-old suspect at approximately 22:20 on the same evening.
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The suspect was arrested for allegedly setting fire to a second truck on the M17 Addo Road. The driver of the manganese truck was forcibly removed from the vehicle before it was also set alight. The suspect faces charges of public violence, damage to essential infrastructure, and malicious damage to property. The man is scheduled to appear before the Motherwell magistrate court on July 14, 2023.
While these truck burnings are not part of a nationwide trend, they are directly linked to the protest over service delivery. The residents of Nomakanjane and Ramaphosa informal settlements have expressed their discontentment with the lack of water and electricity in their respective areas.
Responding to the incidents, Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata, issued a stern warning to protestors who engage in unlawful activities. He emphasized that damaging infrastructure not only disrupts public services but also poses potential risks to public safety. Maj Gen Ncata further stressed the critical role of transportation systems and other vital infrastructure in the smooth functioning of society, underscoring the far-reaching consequences that intentional damage can have on individuals and communities. He firmly stated that lawlessness will not be tolerated, and those who are arrested will face the full force of the law.