The Kimberley Magistrates’ Court in the Northern Cape has refused bail to eight Nigerian nationals accused of various charges including malicious damage to property, interference with the law, assault, and public violence.
According to reports, the arrests followed an altercation between the suspects and the South African Police Service (SAPS), where police officers were allegedly attacked, and SAPS vehicles were damaged.
The incident unfolded as police officers were reportedly pursuing information related to Nigerian nationals suspected of drug possession.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Northern Cape announced that the case against the accused has been postponed to July. The accused individuals include Onogu Nwaemeka, Kelecho Oken, Ebot Kennedy, Chijioke Steven, Charles Aknaji, Umemba Sophuru, Amajoyi Tochukwu, and Charles Okerie Onyedikashi.
According to NPA regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane, the confrontation occurred when the police attempted to apprehend a fellow Nigerian national, and the suspects allegedly demanded his release.
Senokoatsane described the chaos that ensued, with the Nigerian nationals purportedly attacking law enforcement officers and causing damage to property.
The NPA spokesperson also mentioned the utilization of an audio-visual remand system (AVR) for the accused during their next court appearance.
Last month, the SAPS Northern Cape provincial spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, detailed the events leading to the arrests. She mentioned the use of rubber bullets by police to disperse the crowd and the subsequent arrests of suspects for various offenses, including possession of drugs and public violence.
Ehlers explained how the situation escalated, with further damage inflicted on the police station and vehicles by additional groups of Nigerian nationals.
The authorities are continuing their investigation into the matter, while the accused remain in custody pending their next court appearance.
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