Residents block Khutsong roads

2008-08-18 17:27

Bloemfontein - Police arrested six people on public violence charges on Monday after roads at Khutsong, Bothaville, were barricaded in an apparent service delivery dispute.

Police spokesperson Puleng Motsoeneng said six residents were arrested after roads were blocked with burning tyres.

"Police dispersed the groups gathering during the morning and between 10:00 and 13:00 things were quiet."

Motsoeneng said police would keep a visible presence in Bothaville after incidents of public violence in the past week.

The events apparently relate to residents being unhappy with service delivery in the Nala Local Municipality.

Last week, a house belonging to the local mayor was stoned while several shops in Khutsong were damaged by protesting residents.

Motsoeneng said a group of people also stopped and looted a bread truck on Monday afternoon.

A community meeting on Sunday apparently called on residents not to go to work this week, while children were asked to boycott schools.

Motsoeneng said not all people adhered to the call for a stayaway.

- SAPA