LIMPOPO – In a statement issued by Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe, said the six were arrested following violent protest action where local residents barricaded the R81 road at Ga-Sekgopo village, between Polokwane and Mooketsi in the Modjadjiskloof Policing area outside Tzaneen.
“The six suspects (aged between 19 and 49) were arrested during a violent protest where these members embarked on a violent protest action by barricading this road with stones, rubble and burning tyres.”
The protest action, which has been on and off for the last couple of days, was temporarily halted after the police intervened and arrested the suspects and cleared the road.
Ngoepe added that a Public Order Police Unit is monitoring the area.
Meanwhile on Monday, 28 April several protesters were also arrested in the Lebowakgomo Policing area, after a violent protest action erupted at the Olifantspoort Water Plant.
No water in Polokwane as residents lock and leave Olifanstpoort Plant with the key
During the protest action employees at the water plant were threatened and the plant keys were forcefully taken, the water supply system was disconnected, cables were cut and computers were stolen. The damage to the plant amounts to millions, read the full story in this week’s Polokwane Review.
Keys to the Olifantspoort plant have been retrieved, plant reopened
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba, has since condemned this violent protest action with the most strongest terms. He urged residents to resolve their problems peacefully, instead of engaging in this violent behavior. “This behavior will not be tolerated and those who will still be found to be perpetrators of this irresponsible acts, will be dealt with harshly and without compromise,” concluded General Ledwaba.