Witnesses say that the traffic officers, stomped on the head of on of the men that were arrested.

The incident happened around 16:20 in Meyer Street in front of the Middelburg Observer offices.

Journalists and bystanders were threatened with arrest for taking photos and video footage of the commotion.

One of the traffic officers affecting the arrests accused www.mobserver.co.za of taking pictures “because we’re black”.

A man, sitting handcuffed in front of a traffic vehicle cried throughout the commotion, and pleaded for assistance from the public.

It is unclear what led to the arrests.