Sasolburg - Fifty-three people accused of public violence and malicious damage to property were granted R1000 bail each by the Sasolburg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, Free State police said.
Colonel Motantsi Makhele said 29 of them were from Zamdela, Sasolburg. They would be back in court on March 20.
The other 24 were from Deneysville, 26km east of Sasolburg. They would be back in court on March 27.
Other people allegedly involved in the protests had already appeared in court. Others would appear for bail applications later this week.
They were arrested last week Monday and Tuesday during violent protests over the proposal to merge the Metsimaholo local municipality in Sasolburg with the Ngwathe municipality, under which Parys falls.
Sasolburg and Deneysville are part of Metsimaholo.
More than 200 people were arrested and four were killed during the protests. Several others, including two police officers, were injured. There was substantial damage to property. - Sapa