Sterkspruit remains tense following protests by local residents

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Eastern Cape police believe they've brought the chaotic situation in Sterkspruit in the North Eastern Cape under control.

Residents, under the banner of the local civic organisation, went on the rampage on Monday, burning tyres, blockading streets and bringing businesses to a halt.

Residents have been campaigning for their own municipality, saying they no longer want to be part of the Senqu Municipality, which incorporates Lady Grey.

Provincial police spokesperson, brigadier Marinda Mills, says they've deployed a large police contingent and 37 people were arrested for public violence.

She says several main roads that were closed have been reopened by the police and local authorities.

Meanwhile, the police report that the situation is under control has been contradicted by the spokesperson for the Sterkspruit Civic Association, Mcebisi Mgojo.

He told Algoa FM News that a report back meeting to the residents on their grievances by Cooperative Governance Minister, Richard Baloyi, broke down on Monday.

Mgojo blamed the Senqu Municipality for allegedly engaging in an outreach programme while the meeting with the Minister was underway and sowing confusion in the minds of the people.

He says the situation in Sterkspruit remains tense.

"There is a huge deployment of public order policing and the task force from Mthatha who are beating and kicking people and chasing them out of their houses. Businesses are closed and the community are in heavy combat with the police" Mgojo said.