Johannesburg - Malamulele police were bracing themselves for further protests over a demarcation dispute in the north-eastern Limpopo town on Friday.
Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said police were still monitoring the situation and were aware residents planned to hold a meeting later in the day.
“We don't know whether they still plan on holding the meeting or not but it will not happen because it has not been 'okayed' by the municipality,” said Mulaudzi.
He said the meeting would be a violation of the Gatherings Act.
“If they had received permission from the municipality, police and people from health care would have also been told to go there. We have received no letter of application,” he said.
Around 20 000 residents went on the rampage earlier in the week after the municipal demarcation board did not grant them a meeting in which they planned to demand their own municipality.
The protesters burnt down a government building and shops during the protest.
On Thursday, 65 people appeared in the Malamulele Magistrate's Court on charges of public violence.
They were denied bail, and their case would continue on October 24. - Sapa