Police spokesperson, Stephen Thakeng, explains that the group aged between 18 and 29 are expected to appear before the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court on Thursday after they were arrested for public violence. 

The group was reportedly dissatisfied with the Magistrates’ decision to keep the 53 protestors in custody. 

They were arrested after last week’s unrest in Kroonstad in which two Moqhaka Municipal vehicles and a local Post Office were torched.

It is alleged that the group of 53 protesters arrested last week was also involved in the protests that spilled over to Steynsrus where three trucks were set alight.

Thakeng says the case against the group of 53 protesters was postponed to April 24 for bail application, with the adults remaining in police custody while five children were released out on a warning.

He says the protesters that were arrested following Monday’s court case not only barricaded roads with stones and burning tyres but were reported to have thrown stones at passing cars, residential and business buildings as well.

He says the situation has subsided. The police are still monitoring the two towns closely.

OFM News