Brackenfell unrest: Nine suspects to appear in court

Nine people linked to the mayhem which unfolded during the Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) protest outside Brackenfell High School in Cape Town, are expected to make an appearance in the Blue Down Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 November 2020.

Chaos ensued last week with police using rubber bullets and teargas to disperse mainly EFF protestors.

The school caught the red berets attention – after it was reported that a group of parents held a private, unofficial matric ball that was only attended by white pupils. This prompted concerns of racism in the Brackenfell school, which it has denied.

The accused are set to mainly face charges linked to public violence.

“As the protesters dispersed they were throwing stones at all law enforcement agencies as well as businesses. Several SAPS, law enforcement vehicles, windows of businesses as well as private vehicles were damaged,” the province’s South African Police Services (SAPS) spokesperson FC van Wyk.

One of the suspects is a man who was arrested and charged with incitement after he attempted to disrupt the protests.

The EFF’s Marshall Dlamini addressed the protestors and lashed out at police, accusing them of always siding with racists.

“They (the police) think we need permission to come to these streets, they think we are scared of them. And we want to say to you fighters If the police, every time we are in confrontation with racists and they choose the side of the racists, you must tell them they are boys and girls who are the private security of racists,” he said.

Cape Town Mayor: EFF will pay costs of the damage

The Cape Party, a small political formation, was also at the demonstration, to counter the EFF’s protest and accused the red berets of being racists themselves.

The City of Cape Town has said it would be taking civil action against the EFF to recover the cost of damages.

Mayor Dan Plato said the EFF made it clear it had no regard for the rule of law. Plato said senior officials would do an assessment of the costs of the damage and that the party would foot the bill.

“I want to assure the public that we will not tolerate lawlessness in this city, and the EFF will be held accountable for the damage caused,” he said.

“Where private property has been damaged during today’s protest action, I want to encourage property owners to alert the City, so that our legal team can assess the feasibility of private properties joining the City’s case against the EFF”