Durban - Three men allegedly involved in fighting off a drug dealer and addicts in Phoenix have been charged with public violence.
An alleged drug peddler was released on bail.
On Sunday, residents of Norrispark Road confronted drug addicts after a fight broke out.
Later, the suspected drug dealer is said to have arrived with 15 men in a bakkie.
The men allegedly attacked the residents. Both clashed with sticks, iron pipes and whips.
Police later arrived and arrested four men, three believed to be residents carrying weapons. The fourth was arrested on the alleged drug dealer's property.
The residents appeared in the Phoenix Magistrate's Court on Thursday, and were released on warning.
An alleged "runner" for the drug dealer was released on R2 000 bail.
They will appear in court on September 16.
Residents want the alleged drug den shut down, blaming the spiralling petty crime in the area on it.
The altercation began when residents came to the aid of a man who was being attacked by drug addicts on their way to a drug den.
Anil Roopnarain, 32, who came to the man's aid, was struck on the back of his head with a whip.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane confirmed the incident that took place where a group of people were fighting.
"Four suspects aged between 22 and 47 were arrested for public violence," he said.