/ 24 January 2014

Roodepoort residents march to court to support arrested protesters

One thousand cops have been arrested for crime since 2010.
One thousand cops have been arrested for crime since 2010.

About 50 Durban Deep residents have marched to the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court for the appearance of 15 protesters arrested for public violence.

"We are going to attend the court case to show support for the arrested residents," said community leader David Masina.

He said some of those arrested during service delivery protests on Gauteng's West Rand had been wrongfully detained.

The police arrested the residents for public violence after using rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse the crowd. One man was killed during the protest.

"Police were arresting anyone they saw. Some of them were elderly people, including a pregnant woman."

Masina said residents were happy about the arrests of four police officers accused of shooting and killing Tshepo Babuseng (28). He was shot as residents surrounded a police officer's car during a protest in the area on Thursday.

"We are happy that they have been arrested. We will also protest on Monday when they appear in court to oppose their bail application," said Masina. – Sapa