Demands for service end in violence
Five people appeared before the Mankweng magistrate's court last Friday after they were arrested for public violence on Wednesday evening following a violent protest on the R71 road.
POLOKWANE – Five people appeared before the Mankweng magistrate’s court last Friday after they were arrested for public violence on Wednesday evening following a violent protest on the R71 road.
They were granted R500 bail each and the case was postponed to March 11.
Angry and frustrated residents from Nobody, Ga-Molepo, Laaste Dehoop and Ga-Sebati barricaded the road with burning tyres, demanding tar roads in their areas.
Const Matimba Maluleke, Mankweng police spokesperson said the protesters obstructed the road to such an extent that motorists could not pass, and this caused traffic congestion.
“The protesters started interfering with motorists and tried to force them to get out of their cars and join the protest.
“The motorists looked to the police for assistance. We asked the crowd to disperse, but they refused and that is when the police fired rubber bullets,” Maluleke said.
No serious injuries were reported, Maluleke said, and there were no further reports of protest or violence since Wednesday evening, he confirmed.
