Police spokesperson, Sinah Mphakane, tells OFM News that all 16 suspects arrested during these violent protests will appear before the town’s Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday after being apprehended for public violence earlier.

The town has been a scene of unfortunate events with irate residents protesting against the removal of the embattled Letsemeng Local Municipality mayor, Thandiwe Reachable, and her mayoral committee. Residents want Reachable and councillors to vacate office on allegations of fraud, corruption and pitting residents against each other for her personal agenda.

In her refusal to vacate office, residents replied by burning houses of those suspected to be working against residents’ demands, under Receachable’s orders. A local leader who opted to remain anonymous, tells OFM News that residents are expecting a response from the party’s deputy secretary-general, Jessie Duarte, soon. He says this as Duarte last week visited the area to address the issues of residents, mainly the removal of Reachable and the council.

OFM News