Police spokesperson, Thabo Covane, tells OFM News that a meeting was held with a representative from the African National Congress (ANC) in the Caleb Motshabi and Phomolong informal settlements this week, regarding residents’ unhappiness with the incumbent ward councillor. Promises were allegedly made, but are yet to be fulfilled. Covane says on Wednesday evening the irate group mobilised and started barricading parts of the R702.

Whilst the unrest appears to have been quelled for now, it is reported the unhappy group is now peacefully marching to the Bram Fischer Building to demand answers.

Earlier on Thursday, OFM News' Olebogeng Motse visited the R702 after news that the meeting between the ward councillors and the community did not go as expected and the residents are planning to barricade the R702 or Dinaweng Road again. 

Last week seven people were arrested in connection with unrest reported in the Phomolong and Caleb Motshabi informal settlements. Amongst those arrested for the public violence, was two women and five men. The normally busy R702 road which separates the Caleb Motshabi and the Klipfontein farmstead on either side, was barricaded with burning tyres, road infrastructure, and bits of refuse strewn on the road.

READ MORE: Truck looted in Bfn in R702 protest

When the OFM News team got to the scene this morning, local police were monitoring the area, but there were no sign of unrest at the time. Previously, the protesting group demanded 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