Johannesburg – Police in Limpopo have arrested 44 people after protesters torched government properties and two schools in the Tshitale areas.
"Police conducted operations in the early hours of this morning [Wednesday] around Muila and Nthabalala villages in Tshitale and arrested 23 people, including a 16-year-old boy, for alleged involvement in the torching of schools and other buildings at Nthabalala and other villages," said Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.
Others had been arrested on Tuesday after protests by Tshikuwi community led to the temporary closure of the R523 road linking Weliespoot and Mphephu.
Villagers from areas in Tshitale, including Nthabalala, took to the streets this week demanding tarred roads in their areas.
Villagers in Tshirolwe blocked roads and pelted motorists with stones.
A primary school, government offices and a local post office were set alight during the protests on Monday.
The second school, Denga Secondary School in Nthabalala was reportedly torched on Tuesday.
Those arrested face charges of arson, malicious damage to property and public violence.
They are expected to appear in Mphephu and Sekgosese magistrate's courts soon.