The situation in Frankfort calmed down on Tuesday after more residents were arrested for public violence, eastern Free State police said.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Motarafi Ntepe said 64 people have been arrested since violence broke out on Sunday in Namahadi township over alleged poor service delivery.
”Thirty-three people, among them seven minors, have appeared in the Frankfort Magistrate’s Court on charges of public violence on Tuesday,” said Ntepe.
The minors were released into the custody of their parents, she said. The adults will appear in court again on August 23 for bail applications. In the meantime, they will remain in custody.
Ntepe said the other 31 arrested people will appear in court on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, a small group of protesting Namahadi residents gathered in front of the court in anticipation of the court appearances.
National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebe also visited the town and held talks with the Frankfort police station commissioner and other police officers.
Police reinforcements from Bethlehem, Phuthaditjhaba and Botshabelo were called in on Tuesday after protesting residents ran riot in the township on Monday.
It was reported earlier that not enough police were available to contain the situation in the township.
Residents of Namahadi resorted to violence on Sunday, allegedly after demands made earlier were not met.
They had previously handed a memorandum of demands to the Mafube local municipality.
According to reports, residents said their local councillors had not properly addressed their demands during a meeting on Sunday.
They barricaded the road between Frankfort and Villiers with burning tyres, stones and road signs.
Two vehicles were destroyed when they tried to drive through a barricade of burning tyres. The driver of a truck was seriously injured in the incident.
Municipal offices were also set alight, a stadium was vandalised and various shops inside the township were looted.
Joel Mafereka, Free State minister for local government and housing, visited the town on Monday and told residents that he would set up a committee to investigate allegations contained in their memorandum.
Mafereka said he would meet with Mafube municipal councillors within seven days and report back to residents within 14 days. — Sapa