Police tape encircles the magistrates’ court to discourage the #JozitoStellenbosch group from approaching the building. PHOTO: Byron Latham.
Five protestors linked to the #JozitoStellenbosch protest in Kayamandi earlier this week, were released on bail on 13 August, Stellenbosch Municipality stated on its Twitter account.
The protestors were arrested on 12 August, when protests continued despite Stellenbosch Municipality having been granted a court interdict against it.
The municipality said in a public statement on 12 August that the interdict stopped the protesters from “convening, organising, executing or participating in any gathering, march, protest or demonstration” under the Disaster Management Act, due to the lockdown.
“The interdict was granted by the Western Cape High Court, on 12 August 2020. The municipality applied for this interdict to ensure the safety of all residents,” according to the municipality’s statement.
According to Teboho Sebogodi, who represented the five #JozitoStellenbosch protesters on a pro bono basis, the group that was arrested will return to court on 23 September.
“They were charged in terms of the disaster management act regulations, so obviously we just need to comply with all the regulations going forward,” said Sebogodi. He added that there were no specific conditions to what they’re allowed to do while on bail.
Mangaliso Sambo, EFF member Mbulelo Dwane, lawyer Teboho Sebogodi among others stand talking before the group outside the court moved on. PHOTO: Byron Latham.
Motives for Kayamandi protest
In an exclusive interview with MatieMedia on 11 August, Mangaliso Sambo, the general secretary of the South African Destitute Ex-Miners Forum (SADEMF) stated their objectives for the protest.
Sambo told MatieMedia that one of their objectives was to “try to eradicate the white minority rule of the economy of South Africa, as enjoyed by the Afrikaner and the English, in favour of Black Power – that is, the black community”.
Meanwhile, two other political factions have pledged their support for the movement.
According to Sonwabile Kuni, a member of the Stellenbosch branch of the Pan African Congress (PAC) and who was present after the court hearing, the PAC has pledged solidarity with the movement.
“The PAC stands opposed to white supremacy manifested here in Stellenbosch, which is why [the PAC] support any movement that seeks to disturb white privilege,” said Kuni.
When asked if the PAC stood behind the call for violence made by the movement, he added that “it could have happened that [he] missed the violent messages”.
During a press briefing on 31 July, Sambo said that “only when white people are dead, shall [they] cease fire”.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=278590280111444
Mbulelo Dwane, EFF PR councillor at City of Cape Town, and who was also present at the court hearing, said that while they support the movement, they “do not want to kill white people”.
Despite the court interdict, supporters were singing as they marched alongside the five protestors, who had just been released on bail. The group was escorted out of town by the police who, along with Sebogodi, advised them not to march grouped together.
#JozitoStellenbosch protesters carry a Black Power banner as they are escorted out of Stellenbosch by the police. PHOTO: Byron Latham.
Police cars follow the group of protesters as they exit the town in a march, in spite of being told not to do so. PHOTO: Byron Latham.