THREE members of the Economic Freedom Fighters will spend two more nights behind bars following their arrest on Monday, 20 March.
The Free state member of the Provincial Legislature, Amelia Tshabalala, and the Thabo Mofutsanyana Regional Chairman, Mohau Molwelwe, were arrested during a national shutdown protest in Phuthaditjhaba.
A pregnant EFF member, Alina Kheswa, was also nabbed during the demonstrations.
The trio briefly appeared in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate Court on Wednesday, 22 March.
They are facing charges of public violence and damage to essential infrastructure.
During the bail application hearing, the state submitted that the accused barricaded roads with burning tyres, damaging the essential infrastructure and depriving ordinary people of their right to walk free to respective employment during the shutdown.
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The court didn't consider that accused number two, Kheswa, is pregnant, and complications might occur in custody.
The EFF slammed the state and accused them of complicating the case.
They were not asked to plead before the Magistrate.
National Central Command Team (CCT) member Mandla Shikwambana said the party noticed serious confusion within the state concerning the charges imposed on the accused.
"The state can't even explain what is essential infrastructure. "Charge number two was deliberately added to increase the charge schedule from one to five," Shikwambana said.
He said the accused were arrested wrongfully and won't hesitate to sue the state at end of the case.
"We hope this case will be struck off from the court roll," he added.
Shikwambana slammed police for what he regarded as an abuse of power.
He said accused number three, Molwelwe, was arrested in the office.
The matter was postponed to Friday, 24 March, for a formal bail application.
The trio forms part of 550 protesters arrested for public violence-related matters.
