Central SA
Twenty in court as Phomolong remains tense─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 11:42 Thu, 13 Apr 2023
Twenty people arrested during protests in Phomolong are expected to appear in the Hennenman Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
OFM News previously reported that police vehicles were left damaged after being stoned during the unrest in Hennenman.
On Tuesday, angry residents barricaded the roads with rocks, trees, rubbish, and burning tyres to express their frustrations over the lack of service delivery.
Yesterday, schools were also disrupted during protests.
Free State police spokesperson, Stephen Thakeng, said ten more people were arrested on Wednesday and will appear in court on Thursday.
He added that the situation in Phomolong remains tense, however, members of Welkom Public Policing and Crime Intelligence have now also joined the police in Hennenman as they try to maintain order.
According to Thakeng, protesters who were arrested yesterday will face charges of public violence and conspiracy to commit murder.
UPDATE: The case has been postponed to 26 April 2023, with strict conditions of not participating in any gathering.
