Protesters caused havoc near the N11 Hendrina Road outside Ermelo in Mpumalanga today. It is believed the group are made up of artisanal miners (zama zamas) who are protesting after 271 men were arrested during an operation against illegal mining on October 13.

Among the persons arrested are 30 Zimbabwean citizens, 92 Mozambicans and 11 eSwatinians.

The group appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Monday and tensions have been running high since then.

Earlier today the police dispersed the crowd, who then scattered into Wesselton.

Highvelder received a video where a group of primary school learners flee from the scene, after protesters set tyres alight near their school.

According to one of the teachers at the school, who did not want to be named, the group broke into the school by cutting the fence.

They then reportedly slammed on the class doors and demanded the children leave the school.

They, according to her, then proceeded to the principal and threatened to burn the teachers’ cars if the children did not leave.

“The children were screaming and crying while the protesters shouted at them,” the teacher said.

She claimed their motive was to involve the teachers in the strike as they wanted their support.

She told the Higvelder that members of the Ermelo Taxi Association came to assist with the situation.

It is believed that the group also targeted Reggie Masuku Secondary School.

Ermelo police are still on the scene and monitoring the situation.