Eastern Cape police have arrested 11 people following service delivery protests in parts of the province on Day One of special voting ahead of Wednesday’s elections.
Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Sibongile Soci, said that the six people, aged between 20 and 45, were arrested by Mthatha Public Order Police for blockading the N2 outside Qumbu.
She said those arrested were residents of the Laleni Location who had blocked the road complaining about service delivery.
They are due to appear in court soon on charges of Public Violence and Intimidation.
Meanwhile, five people were arrested on charges of public violence when members of he Ginsberg community near King Williams Town blocked the main road with burning tyres on Monday.
Soci said that the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is part of the joint multidisciplinary approach primarily to help resolve issues and challenges raised by the protesting communities.
“The R408 road between Dutywa and Willowvale was also blocked by protesting residents demanding services. Police acted swiftly and the road was opened with the assistance of the mayor of Mbashe Local Municipality who addressed and engaged with the community members,” she said.
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga said that SAPS members together with other law enforcement agencies were operationally ready to ensure that the rights of law-abiding citizens are not infringed in any way, particularly through criminal acts by protesting individuals.”
