For weeks, the community has demanded access to basic services and to be removed from the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality.

On Monday, the N3 highway played host to havoc and destruction.

Police had their hands full, trying to keep protestors off the N3 highway. From burning tyres to pelting rocks and stones at motorists, the situation is tense.

Despite several arrests, the community says it is not backing down. 

They say protest action will continue until their demands are met.

Free State police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, told OFM News on Monday that whilst the situation in the area remains very tense, Public Order Police were on the scene and continue to disperse crowds to enable traffic to flow without disruption.

The stone-throwing in Harrismith comes less than a month after a 35-year-old truck driver died in a car accident near Harrismith after the truck he was in was pelted with a stone by protesters and he veered off the N5 road. It is unknown, at this stage, if any vehicles have been seriously damaged on the N3 highway this time around.

eNCA