Mokgoro further denounced what he called agent provocateurs who exploit genuine service delivery concerns in order to incite violence in his State of the Province Address delivered in Mahikeng on Friday (June 28). He calls for law enforcement officials to deal with the acts of public violence swiftly. “We have made an effort to uncover the sources of this instability and we will in due course take the public into confidence, as to the way forward in dealing with these sinister forces” says Mokgoro sternly.

The ten people arrested for public violence in the Ikageng protests this week are expected to make their first appearance in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court today. Police spokesperson Adele Myburgh, says nine of the suspects who are between the ages of 18 and 46 were arrested in Extension 11 at the height of the protests on Wednesday (June 26). The tenth suspect – who is 36 years old - was apprehended in connection with the excavation hijack which occurred the day prior, where tarred roads in the township were severely damaged.  

The Ikageng township descended into chaos in the early hours of Wednesday, when about 300 of the township’s residents barricaded the N 12 between Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp with rocks, burning tyres and other objects, bringing traffic on the road to a complete halt. The angry residents who say the JB Marks Municipality is failing to render services, are alleged to have looted a truck and pelted passing vehicles with rocks in the process. Myburgh tells OFM News, the situation has since normalised and the N12 remains open for traffic. Myburgh confirms that police have been informed of two shops owned by foreign nationals that were looted in the protest. She says the owners of the shops have not opened cases with local police.

JB Marks Municipality falls under the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, an area where former Premier, Supra Mahumapelo is known to have a large support base. In an interview with OFM News shortly after the May general elections, Mahumapelo denied that the unrest in the province at the time was being carried out by some of his most ardent supporters. This after OFM News was informed, Mahumapelo’s support also lies in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipalities.

OFM News