Khoisan ‘king’ released on warning for growing dagga at Union Buildings
Two indigenous activists have been released on warning following their arrests the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Wednesday.
They were uprooted from the presidential lawns with shoulder-height cannabis plants believed to have been grown on site while they camped outside President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office for more than three years.
The pair appeared in court on Thursday facing a charge of dealing in cannabis.
Regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Lumka Mahanjana says the matter has been postponed on 29 March for further investigation.
The Khoisan king’s wife Cynthia told Channel N-TV the plants were being used for medicinal purposes.
“I am very cross this morning.
“The president don’t want to take a minute to come down and talk to us, to address us on issues he received in 2017. That’s only what we want from the president - to acknowledge the Khoisan people.
“It’s very heartbreaking,” Cynthia added.
The small group of Khoisan community set up home near the Nelson Mandela statue in 2018 in a bid to draw government to address them on issues of recognition.
Watch Cynthia tell of her husband’s arrest:
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