The situation was still relatively calm when they were protesting outside the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality offices, but quickly escalated as they moved back to Mashishing. Shots were fired as the protesters ran away from the SAPS Public Order Policing Unit.

The protesters effected a complete shutdown of the area. The main issues they brought forward were a demand for basic services, electricity, water supply and alleged illegal selling of RDP housing to municipal officials.

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The protesters prevented some pupils from going to school and people from going to work, as there was no transport. A large number of schools in the area opted to close and sent the children back home. Angry members of the community even broke down a bus stop shelter, burned tires throughout the town and littered the streets.

Read the full article in Steelburger/Lydenburg News on Thursday.