A local resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told OFM that a well-known member of the CPF is allegedly deeply involved in criminal activities and police are protecting him. The man allegedly assisted criminals in hiding stolen goods.

The resident accused the police and the CPF members of being in cahoots with groups that include SVK, VL and DFM, which are terrorising communities.

"On Thursday afternoon, residents ditched a community meeting with the Podimoe cluster commander following their demand that five community members arrested on allegations of assaulting one of the gang members, be set free," the source said.

"The meeting was just fruitless and a waste of our time. When we heard him say he will come back to us after engaging other senior officials in the SAPS, we then realised that the meeting was useless and we left," he continued.

Responding to the allegations, North West police spokesperson Adele Myburgh said the South African Police Service was doing everything in collaboration with other government departments to address the unrest situation at Bloemhof.

“Allegedly, an unconfirmed number of community members attacked the police station and police officers' houses in a bid to have suspects released from custody,” she told OFM News.

“The allegations of police members being in cahoots with gangs is unfounded. Any person that makes such an allegation is urged to come forth with evidence or information,” Myburgh continued.

On the allegation that police were protecting a corrupt CPF member, Myburgh stated that the person in question was no longer in service.

“The CPF member known as ‘Charlie’ is not part of the CPF due to his involvement in criminal activities. He was removed from the CPF.”

She also dismissed claims that police were provoking the community.

“On Friday one person (wanted persons) was arrested for Assault GBH. The suspects will remain in custody until their next court appearance on 27 February 2019,” Myburgh concluded.

On Thursday, OFM News reported that at least seven schools, five primary and two secondary, as well as two health care facilities were shut down as a result of protests.

This as residents on Wednesday attacked a local police station and in the process, a police officer suffered facial injuries when the residents pelted the building with rocks.

Three houses belonging to police officers were also torched.

Bloemhof has become a boiling point over the past few years with violent protests regularly reported.

OFM News