Three rioters have been arrested for public violence after a service delivery protest broke out on the N1 road at Mmamahabane, Ventersburg, on Wednesday (08/03).
On Wednesday, the residents went on a rampage and closed the N1 road with stones, rubbish, and burning tyres. A 34-year-old man was arrested for throwing stones at a police Nyala.
Today (09/03), at about 07:25, residents of Mmamahabane blocked the R70 road, the Ventersburg to Senekal road, with burning tyres.
Two female suspects, aged 28 and 31 years old, were arrested by Welkom Public Order Policing. Residents were dispersed.
These two women, and the man who was arrested the day before, are all facing charges of public violence, and contravening the Road Traffic- and Criminal Matters Amendment Act.
The situation is being monitored by Welkom Public Order Policing and Ventersburg police members under the leadership of the acting station commander of Ventersburg, WO Moratei Korope.
On Wednesday, at about 16:00, residents of Mmamahabane had a meeting at the stadium to discuss the service delivery matters,” says Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police.
“The residents wanted the executive mayor of Matjhabeng, Cllr Thanduxolo Khalipha, to address them regarding the water outage, but nobody arrived to address them,” says Thakeng.
From the stadium, angry residents started to block the N1 road with rubbish, stones, burning tyres and trees. A trailer belonging to the Matjhabeng Municipality was burnt.
Motorists are advised to use alternative routes – those from Gauteng to Welkom, and those from Bloemfontein, Bultfontein or Virginia can be used.
Members of Public Order Policing are at the scene.
On Wednesday the residents had to be dispersed with stun grenades.
“Nobody was injured and the situation is been monitored,” says Thakeng.
