Police spokesperson, Thabo Covane, tells OFM News that just before midnight on Wednesday, the truck was passing on the R702 road en route to Sterkspruit, to deliver maize and flour from a well-known milling and feeds company located in Gemsbok Street in Kwaggafontein, Bloemfontein.

The truck reportedly came to a halt owing to the already barricaded road, and the protesters from the Phomolong and Caleb Motshabi informal settlements located along the R702 accosted the truck driver, who then ran away from the scene. The protesters proceeded to ransack the truck and went as far as stealing the truck's batteries.

Covane says no arrests were made in connection with the looting incident. A tow truck was called in to remove the ransacked vehicle from the scene. Public order policing remains on-site, monitoring the situation closely.

Thus far, only seven people have been arrested in connection with unrest, which erupted early on Wednesday morning. Amongst those arrested for public violence, are two women and five men. The protesting group will remain in police custody till their first court appearance before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 4 March 2022.

The normally busy R702 road, which separates the Caleb Motshabi and the Klipfontein farmstead on either side, has been barricaded with burning tyres, road infrastructure, and bits of refuse strewn along the road.

Covane says the protesters are unhappy with the incumbent ward councillor and demand a rerun of the election process. Covane further adds that the protesting group wants to be addressed by the Coordinator of the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in the Free State ANC, Paseka Nompondo, and the Premier of the province, Sisi Ntombela.

OFM News