Currently the situation appears to be calm and peaceful, and Public Order Police from both Virginia and neighbouring Welkom are monitoring the situation by doing rounds on the streets.

This follows after nine people, including seven women and two men, were arrested by the police following the unrest.

It is understood that irate residents gathered outside the Meloding police station this morning, demanding the release of arrested residents.

According to police the unrest broke out after leaders of a local unemployment forum and residents took to the streets to demand jobs from two local mines.

OFM News was told by some  aligned to the forum that angry young residents blockade routes on various streets to highlight the plight of unemployment and poverty that continue to ravage the community in the area.

OFM News