Strong police presence at Sterkspruit and Alice trouble-spots

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

A strong police presence has been deployed in the rural town of Sterkspruit, where members and supporters of a civic organisation ran amok in the town.

They reportedly plundered businesses and caused general disruption in the town on Monday night.

Police used rubber bullets to disperse crowds and nearly 40 people were arrested.

Their main grievances relate to a long-standing demarcation battle with Bhisho sparked by claims of a lack of service delivery from the Senqu Municipality in Lady Grey.

Residents say their main issues relate to plans of demarcation, lack of service delivery and fraud and corruption.

Meanwhile, the situation in Alice remains calm but tense today following protests by students at Fort Hare's Alice campus.
Police spokesperson, Warrant officer Bradley Rawlinson says no incidents were reported overnight.

The university obtained an interdict to stop students from further disrupting activities on campus and vandalising property on Monday.
Twenty-one students were arrested after they blockaded the entrance to the Alice campus with burning tyres but were later released on warning.
Last week, university management met student leaders to address a number of grievances relating to student accommodation, safety on campus and academic matters.