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Moutse protester in court

Alfred Moselakgomo

Alfred Moselakgomo

A Moutse, Limpopo, protest leader facing charges of public violence and obstructing the police had his case postponed yesterday to next month.

Seun Mokgotsi, who is out on R1000 bail, was not asked to plead when he appeared in the Moutse magistrates' court.

He is accused of inciting schoolchildren to join the protest at an imbizo last month by the Limpopo MEC for roads and transport, Justice Pitso.

Mokgotsi and some residents allegedly boycotted the imbizo and continued to protest against the area's incorporation into Limpopo from Mpumalanga.

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) condemned the arrest and said it was an attempt to silence the voices of ordinary citizens.

FXI executive director Jane Duncan said: "The denial of free expression, arrests and victimisation that took place in Moutse is unjustifiable in the light of the constitution."

She said protests were the main form of expression for poor people and police deliberately suppressed this by misusing the Regulation of Gatherings Act.

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