Youths stone cars, barricade road
2003-03-18 12:25
Kimberley - Three vehicles were damaged and a number of road signs ruined when about 1 000 youths went on the rampage in Jan Kempdorp on Tuesday morning, Northern Cape police reported.
Captain Cherelle Ehlers said the youths gathered on the main road near Vaalspan at 02:30. They stoned passing cars and later barricaded the road with burning tyres.
The youths were apparently dissatisfied with the actions of local council members, said Ehlers.
Police dispersed the crowd with rubber bullets and tear smoke.
A girl received a head injury and was treated at a local hospital, said Ehlers. Twenty-six youths were arrested for public violence and were later released into the custody of their parents.
Councillors would address the community at a meeting arranged for Tuesday.
The road had in the meantime been opened and police were monitoring the situation, Ehlers said.
- SAPA