Supporters of former Robben Island prisoner and June 16 student uprisings leader, Seth Mazibuko, burst into song after he was released on bail.
They carried him shoulder high while singing struggle songs. Mazibuko responded by raising a clinched fist in a black power salute. He was arrested on Tuesday following a violent protest against the installation of prepaid electricity meters in Orlando East, Soweto - where he lives - on September 19.
Mazibuko made a brief appearance in the Orlando Magistrate's Court on charges of common assault, public violence and malicious damage to property.
He appeared before magistrate Anton le Roux who granted him R10000 bail. He is expected back in court next month. The state alleges he was part of a group that vandalised about 2050 Eskom electric meter boxes, causing damage estimated at R155400.
Sowetan reported that Mazibuko - an ANC member who ran as an independent candidate in the August 3 local government elections and a leader of the Orlando Task Team (OTT) - had been arrested following a long-standing dispute between the community of Orlando East and Eskom. The quarrel is over Eskom's forceful installation of prepaid electricity meters in the area.
Mazibuko was arrested in his capacity as a leader of OTT, a community organisation that has been negotiating with Eskom over the matter. When negotiations broke down two weeks ago, the community took the meter boxes to Orlando police station where they were allegedly set alight.
A relaxed Mazi-buko dedicated his arrest to his community when he emerged from the court.
"It is the community that has been charged, not me. I still believe that the people shall govern. I pray to God that he gives us ethical leaders. This struggle is not new. It is the same as the university students' #FeesMustFall campaign," Mazibuko said.
xabav@sowetan.co.za
Seth Mazibuko out on bail after meter boxes fiasco
Supporters of former Robben Island prisoner and June 16 student uprisings leader, Seth Mazibuko, burst into song after he was released on bail.
They carried him shoulder high while singing struggle songs. Mazibuko responded by raising a clinched fist in a black power salute. He was arrested on Tuesday following a violent protest against the installation of prepaid electricity meters in Orlando East, Soweto - where he lives - on September 19.
Mazibuko made a brief appearance in the Orlando Magistrate's Court on charges of common assault, public violence and malicious damage to property.
He appeared before magistrate Anton le Roux who granted him R10000 bail. He is expected back in court next month. The state alleges he was part of a group that vandalised about 2050 Eskom electric meter boxes, causing damage estimated at R155400.
Sowetan reported that Mazibuko - an ANC member who ran as an independent candidate in the August 3 local government elections and a leader of the Orlando Task Team (OTT) - had been arrested following a long-standing dispute between the community of Orlando East and Eskom. The quarrel is over Eskom's forceful installation of prepaid electricity meters in the area.
Mazibuko was arrested in his capacity as a leader of OTT, a community organisation that has been negotiating with Eskom over the matter. When negotiations broke down two weeks ago, the community took the meter boxes to Orlando police station where they were allegedly set alight.
A relaxed Mazi-buko dedicated his arrest to his community when he emerged from the court.
"It is the community that has been charged, not me. I still believe that the people shall govern. I pray to God that he gives us ethical leaders. This struggle is not new. It is the same as the university students' #FeesMustFall campaign," Mazibuko said.
xabav@sowetan.co.za
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