Service delivery protests in North West spread to nine villages in the Ganyesa region on Thursday, police said.
“About 144 protesters have been arrested so far for public violence in Ganyesa,” said Brigadier Thulane Ngubane.
Residents burned businesses and a community hall in Phofala village. A wholesale shop was looted and vandalised, and R20,000
worth of groceries were recovered.
Those arrested would appear in court soon.
“The main concern of the communities which fall under Kagisano Molopo district municipality was apparently the need for a tarred road linking the affected villages to Ganyesa,” Ngubane said earlier.
Residents were outraged because they were promised tarred roads three to four years ago.
Public Works MEC Raymond Elisha was expected to address the Southey village community.
Teaching at primary and high schools was disrupted and pupils were forced to join in the protests, Ngubane said.
“Police are monitoring the situation as the roads continue to be barricaded with trees, tyres and stones.”
The other villages affected included Tlhapeng, Dipudi, Tsaodi, Kgokgole, Eliasm and Tshaneng. - Sapa