Cops monitor protest-hit Sasolburg

088 Myhem on the streets of Zamdela in Sasolburg as residents protest over proposed demacations as the government wants to incorporate them with Parys. 220113. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

088 Myhem on the streets of Zamdela in Sasolburg as residents protest over proposed demacations as the government wants to incorporate them with Parys. 220113. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

Published Jan 23, 2013

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Sasolburg, Free State - Police continued to monitor Zamdela township, in Sasolburg, in the Free State, on Wednesday morning following the deaths of at least two people in protests.

Colonel Motantsi Makhele said there was a heavy police presence in the area, but that the situation was under control and no violence was reported during the night.

“The only thing that remains is that some streets are still inaccessible,” he said.

On Tuesday, a protester was shot dead at the Zamdela police station during a clash with protesters.

Earlier in the day, police said another protester was shot dead by a motorist after a group of protesters tried to block his way.

A Jacaranda radio journalist's car was pelted with stones and a Sapa cameraman was threatened with a knife.

Makhele said he could not confirm a report in The New Age that three people had died. He did not know how many people had been injured.

Residents were protesting against the merger of the Matsimaholo municipality in Sasolburg with the Ngwathe municipality near Parys.

Co-operative Governance and Public Affairs Minister Richard Baloyi announced on Tuesday that the merger would no longer go ahead.

More than 200 people have been arrested for public violence during the protests, which started on Sunday. - Sapa

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