A police constable accused of instigating a violent protest in Barberton was granted bail on Thursday, Mpumalanga police said.
Const Melusi Muzikayise Manyisa, 31, appeared in the Barberton Magistrate's Court with Alfred Mkhabela, 32, said Sergeant Gerald Sedibe.
“Both these men face charges of public violence, arson and intimidation, and the matter was postponed to August 6,” he said.
Sedibe said they were allegedly part of group of protesters which torched a satellite police station and municipal buildings on Monday. Manyisa was off-duty at the time.
Sedibe said the protest started on Monday morning, and police had to use teargas when residents looted shops belonging to foreigners.
“Protesters were demanding that the proposed Mpumalanga University, rumoured to be constructed in White River, be built in Barberton.”
He said Manyisa was also the subject of an internal police investigation. - Sapa