Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says 55 suspected protesters are due in the Harrismith Magistrate's Court for public violence and tampering with infrastructure.

The arrests followed the spate of violent protests by irate residents over the collapse of service delivery in the embattled Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality. The residents also want the area to be removed from this municipality. Makhele says the police have heightened their visibility with high patrols intensified in and around Harrismith, Tshiame, and the Makgolokweng Village. The situation in the area is reportedly quiet on both national routes, including the N5 and N3.

“The early morning normal life [returned] to affected places where busses, taxis and other modes of transport started moving and it is business as usual. The learners in Intabazwe went to school, including other areas such as Makgolokweng and Tshiame A and B,” he adds.

Makhele says 39 protesting suspects are making their second court appearance whilst 16 are making their first appearance before court for public violence and damaging of infrastructure.

OFM News reported that the ANC Free State Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) says it has met with protesting residents of Harrismith, who are being plagued by the collapse of service delivery.

ANC IPC convenor, Mxolisi Dukwana, said the IPC has met with irate residents twice already and there will also be follow-up meetings between them and residents.

OFM News