WILLOWMORE NEWS - Cases of public violence, intimidation, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, contravention of the Criminal Amendment Act, business robbery, malicious damage to property, housebreaking and theft are being investigated by the police after the protest last week on the N9 and R329 near Willowmore.
This is according to the SAPS Spokesperson, Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, who reacted to enquiries sent by Graaff-Reinet Advertiser.
Nkohli confirmed that police arrested 25 protesters for various crimes on Tuesday 26 July, following allegations of violent protest actions in Willowmore the previous day.
Nkohli says protesters used burning tyres to block the N9 and R329 near Willowmore during the early hours of Monday 25 July.
Several Willowmore businesses were damaged and looted during the protest.
Police used teargas after their vehicles were pelted with stones and specialised units such as Pops and K9 were also summoned to assist in containing the volatile situation.
According to Warrant Officer Nkohli, police preliminary investigation led to the arrest of the 25 suspects, aged between 18 and 45 years, who have since appeared in court on some of the said charges.
23 suspects were released on warning, while two were not granted bail and remained in custody.
The cases were postponed till Thursday 1 September for further investigation.
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