Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille appeared briefly in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s court on Tuesday on a charge under the Regulation of Gatherings Act.
Zille, who is also mayor of Cape Town, was arrested on Sunday following an anti-drug march with members of the Mitchells Plain community.
Ten other people — seven men and three women — who arrested at the same time appeared in the court with her.
The matter was postponed to October 26 for further investigation and representations to the National Prosecuting Authority.
DA councillor Grant Pascoe said on Monday that Zille had visited the police station to inquire about the arrest of a religious leader who had participated in the protest.
”She and other marchers were given three minutes to disperse from the station because police said it was an illegal gathering. Immediately police arrested 15 people including [Zille],” he said.
The last time I was taken in like this was under apartheid,” Zille said on Monday.
”It was a completely peaceful march. We had permission for it. It was within the law and it is a completely wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution.” – Sapa