Twelve people were arrested for public violence in Mandeni while three vacant factories and four trucks went up in flames in Isithebe following heated protest action by residents on Monday.
The protesters, who were demanding the removal of Mandeni mayor Siphesihle Zulu, blocked all entrance and exit roads to the town with burning tyres, trees and broken bottles.
“We are tired of Zulu, he must step down as the mayor because he is full of corruption. We tried to voice our concerns before but no one wanted to listen, so we thought it was best to protest,” said resident Mhlengi Gumede.
WATCH: Protest against Mandeni mayor creates havoc
Police spent the entire morning clearing the roads and eventually used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Protesters also set alight timber that was in the yard of one of the factories in Isithebe.
“Three cases of malicious damage to property were opened at Inyoni police station.
“No arrests have been made for the burning of trucks and factories yet,” said Ilembe cluster police spokesperson constable Sibusiso Khuzwayo.
After arriving at the municipal building yesterday, the crowd demanded to be addressed by the ANC provincial executive committee and refused to speak to any Mandeni municipal representative.
Protesters are still making their way around Isithebe and have reportedly blocked the P459 (old main road).
Khuzwayo said police are monitoring the situation.
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