By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Controversial Operation Dudula leader Nhlanhla ‘Lux’ Dlamini is expected to apply for bail on Monday after his legal team expressed concern about encountering difficulties in their bid to get bail for him.
Advocate Ike Khumalo said on Saturday they managed to get a prosecutor late Friday but the investigating officer’s cellphone was off, and they could not initiate bail.
Dlamini was arrested on Thursday after a criminal case was opened against him by Victor Ramerafe, 59, of Dobsonville in Soweto.
Ramerafe’s house was allegedly ransacked by members of Operation Dudula, led by Dlamini, last Sunday after the movement accused Ramerafe’s home of being a drug den.
Ramerafe denied the allegations and was accompanied by EFF members this week to register the case.
Dlamini has spent two nights at the Johannesburg Central Police Station.
“Today we are still here at the police station, the IO (investigating officer) came intending to do an ID parade, we were told the witness was not present. They further want to delay us for Monday, “said Khumalo on Saturday.
He further said: “This is an offence which qualifies him for police bail even without a prosecutor. Unfortunately, it seems as if there is political pressure from above from what I can understand from them not to release Dlamini. We are still pushing, we are still here at the police station arguing and pressurising these guys to do their work. We are trying our best that he gets bail today.”
Khumalo said some of his colleagues went to the High Court on an urgent basis but it was difficult because the police have that 48 hours grace period to keep him until Monday’s court appearance.
If Dlamini fails to get bail, he would be expected to appear at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Lux’s arrest comes amid a surge in threats and campaigns against foreigners living and working in South Africa.
It has prompted a backlash from civic groups, with a march being held in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The anti-xenophobia march planned by the activist movement against xenophobic attacks took place on Saturday, 26 March, after the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s decision to prohibit the gathering was overturned.