RESIDENTS of Diepsloot, north of Joburg, have mobilised at the Randburg Magistrates Court on Monday morning, 3 July, where three of their community leaders will be appearing.
The three community leaders were arrested on Thursday, 29 June amid protests in the area over the spate of killings due to increased crime levels in the area as well as a lack of police visibility.
The arrested Diepsloot leaders were charged with public violence. They have been kept at the Joburg Central Police Station after they were transferred from Diepsloot police station.
Dozens of protesters alongside various political parties gathered outside the court as they chanted struggle songs while others carried placards, calling for the release of their community leaders.
Diepsloot Operation Dudula representative Che Serobedi said: "We must fight and unite against police management that interferes in political matters. Instead of arresting criminals, leaders were arrested for fighting a just cause. The community was fighting against the high levels of crime. As a Diepsloot branch and the community, we say no to state resources abuse to silence community and local leaders."
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Tensions in Diepsloot have been high since the arrest of the three community leaders. Many expressed concern over the arrest, claiming this was a form of intimidation from the police side to stop them from engaging in a protest.
It was reported that the community leaders were expected to meet with representatives in the Office of the Presidency to engage with them on Friday, 30 June over the communities grievances, however since the arrest of the leaders this meeting did not happen.
One of the community leaders Reverend Thokwane Dithuge visited the arrested leaders in the holding cells and confirmed that they were in good spirit and more resilient than ever.
Following the visit to the holding cells and engagement with other leaders, a public meeting was held at a park in Diepsloot. During the public meeting, Thokwane said: "I am on the side of those who can not speak for themselves. If it means we have to go to jail let it be. We are not scared."
Thokwane assured residents they would not be pulling out from engaging with the president's office but would resume the meeting once their leaders were released.
"One way or another the government has heard us and the only problem is we want to be part of the solution. We do not want them to resolve things for us," he said.
