LIMPOPO – Following condemnation from the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba, over protest action at a mine in Phalaborwa on Friday, 26 February, more arrests are expected.

Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said despite calm, police will maintain their presence in the area

Mojapelo said residents in the area had complained about existing employment and business opportunities that are given to outsiders instead of Ba-Phalaborwa residents.

“Violent protests erupted in the area and the community went on a rampage by torching the offices of the mine and a motor vehicle. The main gate of the mine was vandalised and valuable items such as computers were also taken,” Mojapelo’s statement read.

He said the police and members of the Public Order Policing Unit managed to contain the situation and 11 people were arrested during the dispersing of the crowd. 

The 11 arrested suspects face charges of trespassing, arson, malicious damage to property and public violence after briefly appearing in the Phalaborwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 1 March.

“The suspects, between the ages of 25 and 40, were denied bail and their cases were postponed to Tuesday, 9 March for bail application and further police investigations,” Mojapelo said.

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