According to police spokesperson in the province, Phumelele Dlhamini, the arrests were made last night after the executive mayor, Nthateng Maoke, had a meeting with residents at around 17:00 to address challenges the municipality currently has with providing adequate service delivery in the town. What these exact issues are remains unknown at the moment. OFM News has, however, in the past reported about a water crisis experienced in Senekal.

Dlhamini said there had been no reported incidents of protests today, despite the fact that the irate residents of Senekal went as far as taking to the N5 road that connects the town to other towns like Bethlehem and barricading it with rocks.

In the inner city and townships, streets were barricaded with rocks and burning tyres, however, police have since then cleared the rubble and rocks on both the N5 and the streets in and around Senekal. The 38 suspects that were arrested last night on charges of public violence will appear at the Local Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Meanwhile, OFM News tried to reach the municipality for comment, with no avail. Questions have been sent to it and responses will formulate part of a follow-up article.

OFM News