Northern Cape police spokesperson, Dimakatso Mooi, tells OFM News the torching incident occurred between six and eight on Wednesday morning 28 April. She says an estimated 250 people are believed to have been involved in bringing the moving truck to a halt by pelting it with stones. 

Once stationary, the group of protesters set the truck alight. Fortunately, Mooi says, the truck driver and his accompanying crew had already managed to flee the scene. The same group then pelted police with stones before they were dispersed by a hail of rubber bullets fired by officers on the N8. Mooi says no arrests have been made yet and the situation, albeit tense, is now calmer.

Motorists making use of the N8 from Bloemfontein to Kimberley are being urged to be vigilant when travelling along the road due to the unrest. Mooi says if it is possible for one to make use of an alternative route, they should consider doing so.

Approximately seven to nine hours before the truck was torched on the N8, a group of aggrieved Theunissen protesters in the Free State unsuccessfully petrol-bombed a police station in the town’s Masilo township.

Free State police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, reports the protesters managed to break the window of the satellite police station at around 23:00 on Tuesday, but the building itself did not catch fire. Makhele says police officers on duty were not injured. The disgruntled group also attempted to torch the Victim Empowerment Centre in the area but failed again. 

No arrests have been made yet in connection with the attempts, but police are investigating the matter, reveals Makhele.

Last week, the parental home of Masilonyana Local Municipality’s Mayor, Kunatu Stephen Koalane, was burned down in Theunissen. Furthermore, protesters petrol-bombed a police nyala, however, authorities managed to extinguish the flames before any real damage was done to the nyala. 

Winburg, which also falls under Masilonyana Local Municipality, continues to be tense after residents attacked trucks in the area, critically injuring one truck driver and leaving two others with minor injuries.

OFM News