A local resident tells OFM News that the situation is back to normal on Monday with pupils and workers having resumed their respective duties. He says this despite the arrests of three people last night at around 22h00 at a local taxi facility by the police. Two taxis were impounded but have since been returned.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education spokesperson, Freddy Sepeng, tells OFM News that the department condemns the behaviour of residents that led to the closure of these seven primary schools. Sepeng says for quite a while now the department has been pleading against such behaviour of residents but the message clearly falls on deaf ears.

Residents are calling on Police minister, Bheki Cele, to intervene in their continuous turmoil with their local police. The community is pleading for new police officials. They allege that police officers in the town collude with local gangs. Responding to the allegations, North West police spokesperson, Adele Myburgh, however, said the South African Police Service was doing everything in collaboration with other government departments to address the situation at Bloemhof. 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 the police were provoking the community.

OFM News