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More unrest in Free State
24/08/2005 14:49 - (SA)
Bloemfontein - Police on Wednesday fired rubber bullets at protesters in sporadic clashes in Kgotsong, Bothaville, on the third day of civil unrest in the northern Free State town.
"Police have used rubber bullets to disperse crowds. No injuries have been reported so far," said police spokeperson Inspector Stephen Thakeng.
He said all schools in the township had closed for the day.
"Township roads are still blocked with stones and they are still throwing stones, but nothing serious at this stage," said Thakeng.
Police were monitoring the situation, he said.
Kgotsong residents went on the rampage on Monday over alleged poor service delivery. They also claim their calls to investigate corrupt councillors have gone unanswered.
About 40 residents arrested since Monday on charges of public violence would appear in the Bothaville magistrate's court on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, disgruntled residents burned and looted shops in the township and cause damage to various other properties.
The rioting started after a group of residents marched to the Nala Municipality offices in Bothaville to hand over a memorandum of demands.
Police said the protesters apparently expected an official from the office of the Free State MEC for local government and housing to accept the document, but no one arrived.
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