Sixteen people were arrested for alleged public violence during an ANC protest against newly-elected councillors in Bizana on Monday, Eastern Cape police said.
“About 5000 people blocked the municipal office and the department of education. They also forced people out of the shops to join the toyi-toyi,” spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Sibongile Soci said.
African National Congress members were apparently unhappy with the ward councillors elected for the area during local government elections.
Soci said people were ferried in to the area to take part in the protest.
“The group has since dispersed, but the situation is still tense. Police are monitoring the area as there are fears they might re-group again.”
Bizana is the seat of Mbizana local municipality, which is made up of 25 wards. It was transferred from the OR Tambo district to the Alfred Nzo district municipality following local elections. The ANC won 73.2 percent of the vote in the province. -
Sapa