PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Crags community breathed a collective sigh of relief after the nine locals who were recently arrested for public violence were released on bail.

On Monday, February 29, 2016 the five men in the group applied for bail in the Knysna Magistrates Court.

The men - Ralton Kampher, Rodney Julies, Eugene Toll, Llewellyn Davids and Jason Booysen - were released on R1000 bail each on March 1, 2016.

This after the four women in the group - Rolene Booysen, Ameera Jacobs, Magdaleen Koopman and Luchrista Jantjies - were also released on R1000 bail each in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrates Court on Friday February 26, 2016.

The entire group will have to take their places in the dock again in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate's Court on March 17, 2016 after the matter was postponed for further investigation.

The group was arrested on Monday February 22, 2016 after mass protest action on February 18, 2016 which saw several members of the community plunder the home of two alleged murder suspects.

This, after the brutal murder of a young local – the 20-year-old Franklin de Waal – on Valentine’s Day.

The community became outraged after identifying two men they believed were responsible for the murder, but police failed to arrest them due to the lack of evidence.

The dissatisfaction led to the protest by about 700 residents and the subsequent plundering of the home. The community was further outraged when public order police from Oudtshoorn then arrested nine protestors during an early morning raid on their homes last week.

This led to further protests at the local magistrates court and police station on February 23, 2016 during the group's first court appearance.

Community spokesman Jessica Kamkam said Crags residents as well as family and friends of the group were very relieved that the court granted bail to the nine.

"It feels as if a weight has been lifted off our shoulders. All we want now is that justice takes its course," Kamkam said.

She added the recent events also had a positive side and united the community. "It has shown our community spirit. Everyone did their part to ensure that we had enough money to post bail for all the accused and to pay the legal fees. It shows our community will always stand together in good and trying times."