By Kopano Dibakwane
A community protest in Dullstroom, on 15 May 2025 at around 22:30, took a violent turn and resulted in three vehicle belonging to the SAPS(South African Police Service) being damaged.
This led to the arrest of two suspects aged between 18 and 43, who were charged for public violence and malicious damage to state property.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lt-Col Jabu Ndubane, said an operation by Dullstroom SAPS and Middleburg POP(Public Order Policing) led to the arrest of the three suspects.
“ The suspects are alleged to have influenced and instigated a community protest, during which three SAPS vehicles were damaged after being stoned by protesters. Investigation and tracing of additional suspects are ongoing, as more individuals were observed throwing stones at police vehicles during the unrest,” said Lt-Col Ndubane.
According to Lt-Col Ndubane, a fourth suspect was also apprehended for interfering with police duties after he arrived at the police, threatening the police, questioning why only the two suspects were arrested while more people took part in the unrest.
The Acting Provincial Police Commissioner in Mpumalanga, Major-General(Dr)Zeph Mkhwanazi, has spoke out strongly against the destruction of state property and welcomed the arrest.
“ Communities must understand that state resources are there to serve them. Damaging these resources only hinders service delivery. We take such acts seriously, and those responsible must face the full might of the law,” said Major-General Mkhwanazi.
The three suspects will reportedly appear before the Belfast Magistrate’s Court soon, facing the said charges. The police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges as investigations continue.
