The Morojaneng, Dewetsdorp, community on Tuesday threatened more mass demonstrations after a meeting with town clerk, Thato Khoase, failed to appease them.

On Monday about 800 people ran riot armed with bottles and knobkieries, southern Free State police said on Tuesday.

Captain Elsa Gerber said the group, from the community near Dewetsdorp, claimed they were unhappy with the Dewetsdorp Municipality.

Some of the rioters broke up pavements, burnt tyres and threw stones at the house of town clerk, Thato Khoase, breaking a window and damaging a police vehicle.

About 400 people then gathered at the community centre and refused to disperse. The Botshabelo crime combating unit gave the crowd two warnings before using stun grenades to break up the group.

On Tuesday Khoase met with community representatives to resolve the dispute.

The community wanted a mass meeting with the municipality to air their complaints. This was refused and they were asked to put the grievances in writing for discussion at a board meeting.

The community representatives were not happy with the outcome of the meeting and had threatened more mass action.

Police were monitoring the situation. - Sapa

Published on the Web by IOL on 2004-01-27 17:03:01