A protest against poor service delivery in Ventersburg has turned ugly with angry residents barricading the N1 highway with rubbish, stones and burning tyres on Wednesday evening.
The police unit deployed to quell the violence in the Free State farming town, which lies about 148 km north of Bloemfontein, had to use stun grenades to disperse the protestors.
According to regional police spokesperson Captain Stephen Thakeng, residents of Mmamahabane in Ventersburg had initially gathered at a local stadium for a meeting to discuss a water crisis among other service delivery issues in the area, which falls under the Matjhabeng Local Municipality.
They were expecting their mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha, to address their concerns but when he failed to turn up all hell broke loose.
“From the stadium, angry residents started to block the N1 road with rubbish, stones, burning tyres and trees,” Thakeng said in a statement released on Wednesday night, adding that the protesters had also burnt down a trailer belonging to the municipality.
“Members of public order policing are at the scene, the residents had to be dispersed with stun grenades. Nobody was injured and situations is being monitored.”
The N1 is a major national route that runs from Cape Town through Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Polokwane to Beitbridge on the border with Zimbabwe.
With the situation in Ventersburg still tense, the police are urging motorists to avoid passing through Free State town.
“Motorists are advised to use alternative routes – those from Gauteng towards Welkom and those travelling from Bloemfontein can go via Bultfontein or Virginia,” Thakeng said. – Staff Reporter
