Free State police said this morning that they have arrested 187 people during yesterday and Sunday’s municipal demarcation protests in Sasolburg.
What started as a community uprising over the merger of two municipalities quickly turned into violence and looting. Residents are unhappy about plans to merge Sasolburg with the Ngwathe local municipality, under which Parys falls.
Local police admitted they were overwhelmed when the 3 000-strong group of residents started overturning cars and burning tyres on roads leading in and out of Sasolburg.
Authorities have however promised that they would be more prepared for protesters in Sasolburg from today onwards.
Some of these scenes were caught on video, and can be seen below. Looks like the bottle store, in particular, was a popular attraction.
You’ll also notice a rosé connoisseur at about 33 seconds in, as well as the proud owner of a brand new wash basin at about 1:20.
[Source: EWN]
