Komphela on Tuesday held a press briefing where he said the township and province would not be "held ransom by young criminals".

It is understood that three gangs, Born to Kill (BTK), Triple Six (666) and Maroma have been involved in territorial fights in the last week.

Community members in Heidedal took to the streets last week as a result of messages on social media that gangs intended to cause chaos in schools in Mangaung. Many parents kept their children out of school out of fear of gang related attacks, which have lead to the death of one person and the serious injury of another.

Khompela says police are on the verge of making a breakthrough regarding the messages spread on social media platforms.

Following investigations, the police and Hawks on Friday arrested 12 people for the violence. They were charged with murder and attempted murder and appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday. Their case was postponed to October 5. They all remained behind bars.

On Monday, police arrested three alleged gang members. They were apparently on their way to attack rival gangs at another school. The trio possessed weapons.

Owen Kock/OFM News