Charges dropped against 48 Mooi River protestors
Charges against 48 of the 56 people arrested during Sunday's protest action in Mooi River have been dropped.
Protesters targeted trucks on the N3 highway near the Mooi River Toll Plaza, looting their loads and setting 23 of them alight.
The damage is estimated at around R200-million.
NOW READ: Two more arrests made in Mooi River violent protest
The protest is said to have been over truck driver jobs.
Only eight of the suspects appeared in the Midlands town's magistrate’s court yesterday.
Six adults, including one woman, and two minors appeared before the magistrate in Mooi River.
The charges against the other 48 people have been dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Those who lined up in court today are facing charges of theft.
The State alleges that the suspects looted several trucks and stole more than 40kg of meat, 48 bottles of mayonnaise and 96 boxes of tissues during the chaos.
ALSO READ: LISTEN: Witness describes N3 protest, at Mooi River
The case has been adjourned until next week for a possible bail application.
The suspects have been remanded into custody until then.
The damage is estimated at around R200-million.
NOW READ: Two more arrests made in Mooi River violent protest
The protest is said to have been over truck driver jobs.
Only eight of the suspects appeared in the Midlands town's magistrate’s court yesterday.
Six adults, including one woman, and two minors appeared before the magistrate in Mooi River.
The charges against the other 48 people have been dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Those who lined up in court today are facing charges of theft.
The State alleges that the suspects looted several trucks and stole more than 40kg of meat, 48 bottles of mayonnaise and 96 boxes of tissues during the chaos.
ALSO READ: LISTEN: Witness describes N3 protest, at Mooi River
The case has been adjourned until next week for a possible bail application.
The suspects have been remanded into custody until then.