A case of public violence brought against 23 Olievenhoutbosch residents after xenophobic clashes this week was postponed until January 13 in Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
The case was also transferred to the regional court.
Two people died and 19 were injured in the clashes between South Africans, Mozambicans and Zimbabweans on Wednesday. They had been beaten with sticks, whips and improvised weapons.
The leader of the group, Freeman Lukhele, was charged with inciting violence and banned from attending or organising any public meeting.
Although granted R2 000 bail, he could not pay and remains in custody.
The court withdrew charges against two minors, of 15 and 17, as police had not notified their parents of their arrest.
The other 20 members of the group were released on warning. They will all be conducting their own defence.
According to the charge sheet, the public-violence charges relate to the barricading of streets, the ”hunting” and threatening of foreigners, and the disturbing of motorists.
The community claimed tensions between South Africans and the area’s population of mostly illegal immigrants were sparked by the fatal stabbing of a youth on December 24.
Police and the Tshwane municipality have intervened to ease tensions in the area. — Sapa