At least 65 people have appeared in courts following a wave of looting and rioting in North West, police said on Wednesday.
Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the group appeared in the Klerksdorp and Mmabatho Magistrate's Court on Monday, facing charges of possession of suspected stolen goods and business burglary.
"Out of this number, 56 appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate's Court following their arrest last week in Jouberton near Klerksdorp. They were granted R300 bail each and will appear before the court again on Wednesday, 30 May 2018," said Brigadier Mokgwabone.
He said nine others aged between 18 and 48 appeared in the Mmabatho Magistrate's Court following their arrest in Mmabatho and Lomanyaneng. One person was released on bail of R300 and will be back in court on 28 May. The other eight were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on 10 May.
"During the track and recovery operations, the police found at the suspects’ places goods such building, plumbing materials as well as groceries that were looted from a local hardware business and tuck-shops during the protests," said the brigadier.
- African News Agency (ANA)