Some roads around Delmas are open but motorists must be cautious
Heavy police presence in the area is noticeable.
Delmas and its surrounding towns are considerably calmer this morning [Tuesday, February 20] after weeks of unrest and protesting peaked to full-scale rioting yesterday, February 20.
Protestors ran amok since the early hours, setting trucks alight, closing off all entrances to Delmas with burning tyres, and stoning vehicles.
Business owners closed up shops yesterday. However, looting and vandalism in Botleng were rampant.
People wanting to commute to their respective places of work were threatened and intimidated.
The instigators behind the unrest in the area are allegedly unemployed youths demanding work at local mines.
They are apparently furious about the hiring of “outsiders” instead of locals.
Tensions were extremely high since February 9 when armed protestors killed a security guard and attacked the security offices at a local mine.
Residents of the Mimosa township at Eloff saw this as an opportunity to voice their service delivery complaints yesterday. They demanded toilets. Politicians addressed the Mimosa community and resolved the problem.
Heavy police presence in the area is noticeable. Although some roads have reopened, motorists are warned to be careful, especially on the R42.
