The North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo, has condemned in the strongest possible terms the violent protests that have been taking place since Tuesday, 11 September 2018 within the local municipalities of Madibeng and Moretele.
In Mathibestad, protesting members of the community who were demanding water allegedly set alight a guard house and community hall. As part of stabilising the situation and stamping the authority of the state, the police managed to arrest 33 suspects for public violence.
In Brits the police dispersed two groups that attacked each other at or near Madibeng Local municipality offices. It is not clear at this stage what led to the fight. The situation is currently calm.
In Damonsville and Mothutlung, the police are monitoring the situation where members of the community barricaded roads with various objects in demand for water.
The police are also monitoring the situation in Letlhabile where protesting community members barricaded Letlhabile – Brits road with stones and burning tyres last night complaining about conditions of the road. They allegedly pelted passing motorists with stones. During the protest, the occupants of a white Mercedes Benz travelling from the direction of Brits allegedly fired shots randomly at protesters. A petrol bomb was at thrown at the protesters’ vehicle while one person sustained injuries due to a bullet that was fired from the Mercedes Benz. Subsequently, two vehicles caught fire. The suspects fled the scene in the car and are still at large.
Members of Public Order Police managed to disperse the crowd and four suspects were arrested for Public Violence.
The North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo urged protesters to refrain from destruction of property. He requested members of the community to work together with the police in exposing criminal elements.
The police are maintaining presence at the affected areas to stabilise the situation.