NINE Suurbraak community members were released on R1 000 bail each yesterday following their arrest for public violence related to a service delivery protest against the Swellendam municipality.
On Monday, land activists and residents blocked the road by burning tyres and branches. Police and law enforcement were deployed to maintain calm.
In May, the activists occupied a piece of land next to the Main Road in makeshift shacks, to show the living conditions still present in the town following 20 years of promises of low-income housing.
Suurbraak community leader Burton Beukes said that during the protest no property was destroyed or damaged.
He said the arrests were an attempt to break the resolve of their members.
“They appeared in court and were each released on R1 000 bail, on bogus charges of public violence and damage to property," Beukes said.
"The arrests took place without proper warrants or with no warrants being presented, and even family of the leaders were arrested, although they were not present nor took part in any protest action," he added.
Mawubuye land activist and Suurbraak resident Reinette Heunis said the bail conditions prohibited them from participating in any illegal gatherings or protests and the ordeal had been traumatic for all of them.