MAHIKENG, April (ANA ) - President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Mahikeng Friday at midday where he will have an urgent meeting with African National Congress ( ANC) structures in the North West in an attempt to resolve the ongoing protest in Mahikeng.
Ramaphosa cut short his visit to the UK to attend to the violent protests in the North West.
Residents in the capital and surrounding villages went on a rampage on Wednesday demanding that North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo to resigned.
Mahikeng was totally shut down on Thursday with looting and barricading of streets continue unabated on Friday.
A group of residents gathered outside the venue of the meeting. They want to know whether Ramaphosa's ANC will recall embattled Mahumapelo.
"If Supra is leaving I am going to buy the whole of Mahikeng," one man shouted as Ramaphosa's motorcade arrived at the meeting venue.
Zeerust in North West was also shut down on Friday as the call for provincial Premier Supra Mahumapelo to step down grows.
Shops were closed and streets trashed while traffic officers were posted along the N4 highway leading into the town to warn motorists about the situation.
A group of people, mostly working in shops, were standing on street corners waiting for taxis to transport them home. Taxis were parked about two kilometres outside the town, on the Mahikeng road.
North West police said sporadic incidents of looting were reported overnight in the provincial capital Mahikeng and surrounding villages.
Residents in Mahikeng shut down the North West capital on Thursday, calling for Mahumapelo to resign.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Mmabana Foundation in Mmabatho was partially burnt on Thursday night.
The protests have also spilled over to Wolmaransstad and Makwassie.
- African News Agency (ANA)
