THE arrest of three Diepsloot community leaders has caused an uproar among community leaders who have since rubbished the arrest of their leaders.
Community members believe this was the police's way of intimidating them.
Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant Mavela Masondo confirmed that three people had been arrested and charged with public violence.
This comes after a protest in the area broke out on Thursday, 29 June, in the afternoon.
Thursday marked week two since the community called for the president to visit and engage them over some of their grievances, including the spate of killings due to increased crime levels and alleged lack of police visibility.
Masondo said the protest had gone on for far too long, and they had to stop it.
Recidents of Diepsloot react to the arrest of three of their community leaders. The leaders were arrested amidst protest among those was Lifa Nkala who was accused of "public violence". @dailysunsa pic.twitter.com/myYjiCSX3E
— Zandile Ethel Khumalo (@Ethel_Khumalo) June 29, 2023
Anger continues to brew as community members in Diepsloot are in rage over the arrest of their three leaders. pic.twitter.com/kRmlNjp2He
— Zandile Ethel Khumalo (@Ethel_Khumalo) June 29, 2023
"We tried to find out who were the people responsible for this violent protest which was then where we arrested three people who were part of this. They are facing charges of public violence, as you would remember. Roads were barricaded, and businesspeople threatened," he said.
Earlier in the day, heavily armed police presence could be seen dispersing the crowd with rubber bullets and teargas.
This was when community leader Lifa Nkala among others, were arrested.
Reacting to the arrest, Reverend Thokwane Dithuge said this action was lamented.
"We got the message at 10am, and an hour later, these people were arrested. Couldn't they have waited until we concluded this thing or addressed them. Our people are angry, I'm hoping one can talk sense to them, but I think it's getting out of hand, and it's unfortunate that it has come to this point," Thokwane said.
He strongly alleged that this was a form of intimidation from the police.
"If that was a public offence, I would have called the leaders to the side and asked them to stop their people. If they don't listen, they can act," Thokwane said.
Residents in the area have continued to protest until their leaders are released from prison.
Masondo said police visibility in the area had been intensified and vowed to arrest those who incident violence within the community.
