The Alexandra Magistrates’ Court in Johannesburg has sentenced seven Dudula members to seven years in prison for public violence.
However, the sentences were wholly suspended.
On Thursday, the Provincial Commissioner of the police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, said he “welcomed the sentences”.
Narrating events leading to the arrests, conviction, and sentencing, Colonel Dimakatso Sello said the accused participated in a violent Dudula protest in Alexandra on 29 May 2022.
One of the accused, Simon Motaung was identified as the Alexandra leader of Dudula, which seeks to root out undocumented foreign nationals in the densely populated township.
All suspects were found guilty when they appeared i court last Friday, 1 July.
Their sentences were wholly suspended for five years on the condition that the accused do not be convicted of public violence during the period of suspension.
“People should refrain from being part of public violence and destroying infrastructure as this amounts to a criminal offence, which is punishable by law,” warned Lt Gen Mawela.
“May this sentence be a deterrence to those who think of being involved in public violence.”
