Police spokesperson Adele Myburgh, says nine of the suspects who are between the ages of 18 and 46 were arrested in Extension 11 at the height of the protests on Wednesday (June 26). The tenth suspect – who is 36 years old - was apprehended in connection with the excavation hijack which occurred the day prior, where tarred roads in the township were severely damaged.

The Ikageng township descended into chaos in the early hours of Wednesday, when about 300 of the township’s residents barricaded the N 12 between Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp with rocks, burning tyres and other objects, bringing traffic on the road to a complete halt. The angry residents who say the JB Marks Municipality is failing to render services, are alleged to have looted a truck and pelted passing vehicles with rocks in the process. Myburgh tells OFM News, the situation has since normalised and the N12 remains open for traffic.

Myburgh confirms that police have been informed of two shops owned by foreign nationals that were looted in the protest. She says the owners of the shops have not opened cases with local police.

All ten suspects will appear before the local Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

OFM News