By Mustapha Jallow
Seven people were brought before the KMC court for violating the road demolition order, Cadet ASP Modou Musa Sisawo, the acting spokesperson of the Gambia Police Force (GPF), said on Monday.
“They were arrested recently and charged for non-compliance. They appeared before the KMC court today, November 13th, 2023, but their case was adjourned to November 21st,’’ he told this medium.
As the exercise continued, Cadet ASP Sisawo repeatedly urged business and car owners to avoid re-encroaching their demolished places while warning to arrest and protect anyone found wanting. He also called on those occupying the road illegally to vacate their properties before the demolition team arrived in the area.
Earlier, 56 people were arrested by the police for violating the exercise and taken to court. Now, the recent arrest of 7 makes it 63 people since the commencement of the activity on October 19th, 2023.
“Out of 56 arrested offenders, 28 were prosecuted on November 2nd. Seventeen pleaded guilty, and they were fined each D500. But the 11 people pleaded not guilty.
The other 28 appear in the same court as well. But when asked, Sisawo said the 28 had appeared since November 6th, and they were treated the same as the case of the other 28.
Meanwhile, many structures, stalls, canteens, shops, foreign bureaus, and billboards were seen struck down by demolition officials.
Victims of this exercise cried out foul for the destruction and damages while accusing the government of making life very hard for them.
