According to the police spokesperson, Stephen Thakeng, three more suspects aged 16, 21 and 25 years old have been arrested and are expected to appear in the Winburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Thakeng says they were arrested after burning tyres on the tarred road and throwing stones at passing vehicles. He says the three suspects will be facing counts of contravening the Public Violence, the Criminal Amendment, and the Road Traffic Acts. 

OFM News previously reported that three suspects aged 15, 19 and 22 years old were initially arrested for public violence and the possession of items looted from tuck shops.

ALSO READ: Three arrested after violent protests at Winburg

Thakeng told OFM News that protests in Masilonyana, at Winburg, started with residents throwing stones at police vehicles. He said a truck was torched on the N1 road that was closed, while two tuck shops were looted. He added that the police had to use stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse the angry residents, who were also looting shops.

Thakeng says only six arrests have been made so far. He says for the past 24 hours the situation has been quiet as a result of the presence of the Public Order Police members and Crime Intelligence members gathering information.

The N1 is currently open to traffic outside Winburg. Both North and Southbound lanes are open. The Southbound road surface is damaged in places due to the protest action. Motorists should reduce speed.

OFM News