Strong police presence remains in Uitenhage after violent protest

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Several shops were looted during violent protests in Kwalanga near Uitenhage on Thursday.

Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Brigadier Marinda Mills says a community hall was set alight and vehicles were pelted with stones.

She says four people have been arrested, and will appear in the Uitenhage Magistrate's Court soon on charges of public violence.

Warrant Officer Gerda Swart told AlgoaFM News a short while ago that there is still a strong police presence in the area on Friday, and they have deployed sufficient members to intensify visible policing in Kamesh Road, Kwa-Langa, Gerald Smith, Gamble and Blikkiesdorp.

A top level meeting was held late Thursday afternoon to try and find a solution to the housing issue that appeared to have sparked the community outrage.

Earlier in the day, police used rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse large crowds of people who set up burning barricades and stoned cars.