Ermelo remained calm this morning, despite WhatsApp messages circulated yesterday warning of a possible shutdown and disruptions in town.

The circulated messages indicated that the planned action related to grievances over electricity, alleged municipal corruption and employment opportunities.

Highvelder drove through several areas at about 08:15, including the N17 entrance to town, Acasia and the N11.

No disruptions were observed at these locations at the time, and traffic appeared to be moving normally.

There had also been reports of people gathering at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Wesselton.

When Highvelder arrived in the area, a group of people had gathered, with a noticeable police presence.

No large-scale march or shutdown, as some messages circulated suggested, was underway at the time.

Lt Col Corné Kemp of the Ermelo SAPS confirmed to Highvelder last night that police were “aware of the messages being circulated”.

Kemp told Highvelder this afternoon that a group began walking along Mandela Drive this morning, where police stopped them in their tracks.

She estimated the group at about 60 people and described it as a relatively small gathering.

According to Kemp, the person who had circulated one of the voice notes about the planned action was arrested.

Kemp confirmed that the march was illegal, as no application had been made for the planned action.

While the scale of the gathering was considerably smaller than suggested in some of the messages circulated beforehand, residents are encouraged to rely on verified information and exercise caution when forwarding unverified claims about road closures, violence or shutdowns, as these can cause unnecessary alarm.

Highvelder will continue to monitor developments and update residents should the situation change.