The situation in Phomolong, Hennenman, is tense with five more protestors arrested today (17/04).
Members of the Welkom Public Order Policing (POP) have been deployed to control the situation. The five arrests include two women and three men, who have been charged with public violence.
“The protests are related to service delivery grievances and residents demand that they hand over the memorandum to the provincial commissioner of the Free State, Lt Gen. Baile Motswenyane,” says Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police.
Stun grenades, rubber bullets and tear gas was used to disperse a group of residents who attacked the police this morning.
Thakeng say no damages or injuries have been reported thus far, and the situation is being monitored.
On Wedneday (12/04), the police arrested 20 people (19 men and a woman) for public violence. Eight of these detainees were minors under the age of 15 years. This brings the total of arrests made to 33 since the protests started last week.
The police had to use stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse the group of violent protesters.
The violence started on Tuesday, 4 April. By Friday (14/04) the police had already arrested 28 people.
