Kokstad violent protests: 49 to appear in court
Kokstad residents protested this week to demand that their Mayor Nosisa Jojozi and her deputy Bheki Mtolo step down.
"Our community will no longer tolerate their misconduct in the municipality offices," residents said in a memorandum seen by News24.
Their reasons for wanting the pair to step down included poor service delivery, unfulfilled promises, escalating corruption, and the illegitimate nomination of candidates for the August 3 local government elections.
Also read: 37 arrested in Kokstad unrest
The residents accused the officials of having a hand in the nomination of some ward candidates in Kokstad and in some branches of the Harry Gwala District Municipality.
They wanted the pair to step down within five days.
On Monday morning, Bhongweni residents marched to the Kokstad municipal offices to hand over their memorandum.
They barricaded roads with bricks and stones.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lieutenant Nqobile Gwala said 37 people were arrested and charged with public violence.
Yesterday morning around 06:00, residents from the Shayamoya and Horseshoe settlements blocked the R56 with burning tyres and rubble.
Police arrested 12 more people for public violence.
By yesterday afternoon, the situation had calmed down. Police were keeping an eye on the area.
All 49 were expected to appear in the Kokstad Magistrate's Court today.
(File photo: Getty Images)