A suspect arrested in connection with the violent protest at the Fairview racetrack was released on bail on Monday.
Zukile Matshisi, 49, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth on charges of public violence and malicious damage to property.
Matshisi was allegedly part of the approximately 200 protesters who allegedly protested at the racecourse’s stables on Thursday due to a dispute over Unemployment Insurance (UIF).
According to Col. Police spokesperson Priscilla Naidu said Matshisi was released on bail and warned to return to court on October 26. The amount of the bail is not known.
Naidu confirmed no incidents were reported at the racetrack on Monday.
This comes after rumors circulating on Friday that the protesters would return to the racetrack on Monday to express their displeasure because they apparently cannot claim money from the (UIF).
A dispute over UIF forms apparently led to Thursday’s protest by former and current stable workers. The protesters released about 28 horses. One racehorse died while several others were injured.
Naidu confirmed on Monday that police had not yet received a complaint of animal cruelty from any animal welfare organization in connection with the incident.
