Three people have been arrested in connection with the burning down of Bloemfontein's historic City Hall on Wednesday night. They face charges of either public violence or arson.
Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, says Public Order Police members had to use rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse disgruntled Samwu members who were attending a meeting at City Hall.
Makhele says the fire which gutted the historic building was extinguished at about 10.30 pm. Police have been monitoring the situation ever since.
The Mangaung Metro has meanwhile denied allegations that the chaos that erupted at Bloemfontein's City Hall was as a result of the Mayor, Olly Mlamleli, backtracking on an agreement reached with striking Samwu workers.
Municipal spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, said claims by the DA in the Free State that Samwu workers set the historic building alight after Mlamleli refused to sign an agreement reached on Tuesday were false.
Khedama said the extent of the damage would be determined on Thursday.
Samwu's provincial chairperson, Congo Matshepe, has denied that their members were responsible for the fire.
He says Samwu members were outside Bloemfontein City hall when the fire started.
