The Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, William Bulwane, on Wednesday confirmed that police from Welkom and other surrounding regions have been deployed to Bethlehem to assist other law and order entities with the current shutdown. 

Bulwane said this during a media briefing held in Groenvlei outside Bloemfontein. 

OFM News previously reported that at least ten people were arrested earlier on Wednesday after they barricaded roads with rocks and burning tyres. According to the police spokesperson, Mmako Mophiring, the shutdown is by residents who are not happy with the foreign nationals that are allegedly selling drugs in Bohlokong, at Bethlehem. Bulwane said police are doing everything in their power to bring the situation under control.

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"I have also talked to General Lesia - who is responsible now that General Motswenyane is on leave - to say we should send other members, take the Pops from Welkom, take others from Bloemfontein to go and help. There were allegations about those who are in Bethlehem, that they are affected. So we will deal with the matter. I was going to interact with them and go there to see what it is that we can do together. We have requested, in the meantime, to source everybody from that particular area," he said.

Meanwhile, the Education spokesperson in the Free State, Howard Ndaba, also pleaded with protesting residents to not disrupt education in the area, since matric learners have already commenced with their exams.

OFM News