HERMANUS – The situation in Zwelihle township has escalated beyond violent measures as police confront protesters with rubber bullets and tear gas.
Zwelihle updates: Arrested protest leader is a correctional services officer
Gcobani Ndzongana’s lawyer has requested the protest leader be allocated a single cell in Pollsmoor Prison in order to ensure his safety.
HERMANUS – The situation in Zwelihle township has escalated beyond violent measures as police confront protesters with rubber bullets and tear gas.
The Strand Magistrate’s Court has heard that Gcobani Ndzongana, leader of the Zwelihle Renewal campaign, is an officer at the Department of Correctional Services. Ndzongana has been charged with incitement and destruction of property.
The small Overberg community of Zwelihle, which forms part of Hermanus, has been rocked by particularly violent protests that have persisted for weeks.
Following the arrest of 49 protesters, chaotic demonstrations have intensified in the area. Protesters are demanding the release of leading community activist, Gcobani Ndzongana.
Read: Zwelihle updates – Police officer attacked with axe during protests
Police Minister Bheki Cele visited the Overberg town of Hermanus on Friday, in an attempt to quell the violent uprising. Firearms have been stolen from police officers, following sporadic attacks by protesters.
Cele has called in reinforcements from nearby police stations, employing them to find the stolen guns before they are used against officers.
Earlier this year, protesters took to the streets demanding land and housing; demonstrations have since spiralled out of control, resulting in widespread violence and destruction of property.
Who is the Zwelihle protest leader, Gcobani Ndzongana?
According to a statement made in court, and subsequently reported by News24, Ndzongana’s defence lawyer informed the magistrate of his client’s occupation, saying:
“Gcobani is an officer, he works for correctional services so his life will be in danger.”
The accused’s lawyer, Thulasiziwe Twala, pleaded with the magistrate to have his client placed in solitary confinement to ensure his safety, saying:
“I requested that he either be kept at the police station or that we get a commitment from his colleagues from correctional services … that he will be kept safe.”
Read: Zwelihle protests claims the innocent life of a two-week-old baby
Gcobani is to be held at Pollsmoor Prison, in Cape Town, until his bail application on 27 July.
The protest leader’s family has refused to divulge any information to the media, and have also threatened journalists with legal action should they report on the court case.
