Residents of Khutsong will hold a public meeting on Monday following the lifting of a ban by police on public gatherings in the area, Southg African Broadcasting Corporation television news reports.
Violence erupted again in the troubled township, near Carletonville, last week when residents protested against the National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) approval of legislation to do away with cross-boundary municipalities.
This paved the way for the Merafong Municipality, under which Khutsong falls, to be incorporated into the North West rather than Gauteng.
Despite police warnings that their gatherings were illegal, a handful of people met at the local stadium, then set about reinforcing barricades on the township’s streets and burning buildings.
Last week a police officer’s face was badly burnt in a petrol bomb attack, another was hurt by a stone and three more sustained other injuries.
At least two Khutsong protesters suffered eye injuries from rubber bullets and a number of buildings, including councillors’ homes, were set alight.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Mary Martins-Engelbrecht said there will be a strong presence in the area on Monday. – Sapa