Free State police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, revealed the situation in Harrismith and Intabazwe is calm, however, the R714 in Phuthaditjhaba is still barricaded with stones and burning tyres.

Makhele revealed that the situation was tense on Tuesday, as police were on their toes to prevent the situation from getting out of hand because protesters tried to invade the N3 road. According to Makhele, protesters threw rocks at police who were present on the N3 road. A 30-year-old lady was taken to hospital after she was hurt as she unfortunately ran in front of a moving police Nyala at Intabazwe. 

Traffic was halted on the N3 road to protect motorists and vehicles from unnecessary injuries or damages. Protesters also tried to attack the police satellite station in Intabazwe but could not succeed, however, one police vehicle was damaged in the process.

Makhele has cautioned that police are still monitoring the situation in and around Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality following random community protests which erupted in the early hours of Monday 24 May 2021. He further reports that earlier, the provincial road, the R174 in Phuthaditjhaba, was barricaded with burning tyres and rocks last night and that led to the damage of a Maluti bus which was also stoned by protesters. Seven windows were damaged with no commuters inside and the driver was also not injured in the incident which he managed to drive away from.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi