Sowetan: 60 landless people arrested

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=985309

60 landless people arrested
22 April 2009

Police yesterday arrested 60 members of the Landless People’s Movement as they threatened to stage a sleep-in at the Department of Land Affairs offices in Pietermaritzburg.

They demanded to meet senior politicians, including ANC provincial chairperson Zweli Mkhize and Minister of Agriculture Lulu Xingwana.

The protesters said they were fed up with the “abuse being meted against farm dwellers”. They have threatened not to vote today.

The protesters occupied the department’s offices at about 11am yesterday and were ordered by the police to vacate the premises but in vain.

The activists were arrested and taken to Loop Street police station where they were charged with a number of offences including obstruction, refusing to disperse and for gathering illegally, said police spokesperson Henry Budhram.

They have been released on a summons with an option to pay admission of guilt fines of R100 each. – Mhlaba Memela