Jana-Mari Smith
29 April 2011
SIXTY-FIVE taxi drivers made a second appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura yesterday after they were charged in January when protests against higher traffic fines turned violent.
Six of a total of 71 taxi drivers charged that month did not appear in court. One of the absent taxi drivers was excused for being in hospital, while another claimed he was at a funeral.
No official excuses were given on behalf of the other four. They have been ordered to appear in court on May 12.
The taxi drivers who did appear were told that their case has been postponed until July 20 for further investigation.
The group of 71, two of whom were charged after the arrest of the first 69, are facing four charges. They are charged with counts of malicious damage to property, assault of a Police officer, resisting arrest and public violence.
In January, the taxi protest turned violent after some of the taxi drivers began to throw rocks at Police vehicles. The violence came to an abrupt end when the Police fired rubber bullets and teargas to disperse the crowd.
AllAfrica – All the Time
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Court Postpones Taxi Rioters’ Case