Foreign eight in Kimberley court after clash with police members

Eight Nigerian nationals appeared in the Kimberley District Court on Monday, 22 April, on charges of malicious damage to property, assault, as well as public violence.

The eight accused are Onogu Nwaemeka, Kelecho Oken, Ebot Kennedy, Chijioke Steven, Charles Aknaji, Umemba Sophuru, Amajoyi Tochukwu and Charles Okerie Onyedikashi, said Mojalefa Senokoatsane, regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

At the time of their arrest on Thursday evening, 18 April, police members were following up on information on one of the Nigerian nationals being in possession of drugs. While conducting a search in the CBD, a group of Nigerians started attacking police members. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

One suspect was arrested for the illegal possession of drugs, and three for public violence. All were detained at the Kimberley Police Station. During the processing of information, the suspects broke windows at the station. Additional charges of malicious damage to property were added.

Another group later approached the police station and threatened to retaliate. They were warned to disperse. Upon dispersing, the group damaged police vehicles. Another four were arrested for malicious damage to property.

The matter has been postponed to 26 April for further investigation, and the accused are remanded in custody.