The police have arrested 28 people for public violence, defeating the ends of justice, incitement of violence and conspiracy to commit murder, and had to use stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse a group of violent protesters in Hennenman.
The arrests included 27 men and one woman. The cellphones of two of the suscpects were confiscated.
On Tuesday (11/04) protesting residents attempted to “shut down” Phomolong, Hennenman. They were inspired to do so on account of the lack of services rendered in their community and, in their opinion, a non-functioning satellite police station.
Angry residents protesting the lingering poor service delivery used burning tyres, tree branches and rocks to barricade the entrance of Phomolong. Police vehicles were also damaged during the protest.
As a result of the shut down, there was no transport and commuting workers could not go to work, schools were disrupted and on Wednesday the residents marched to Phomolong Satellite Police Station to demand the release of the arrested residents. The crowd was dispersed and they marched to the R70 to barricade it. They were also dispersed.
“Angry residents were allegedly complaining about service delivery,” says Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police.
“Members of Public Order Policing (POP) were summoned to Hennenman to attend to the situation.
“By Wednesday afternoon the situation was still tense, but police members of the Welkom POP and Crime Intelligence team were on the ground to maintain law and order. The Phomolong satellite police station is still open to serve residents of Phomolong, with the needed services,” says Thakeng.
Members of POP and the Crime Intelligence team are conducting patrols and monitoring the situation with the full intention of maintaining law and order.
Thakeng says residents are advised to consult with the relevant authorities to reach a negotiated settlement, rather than resort to violence.
