South African President Jacob Zuma speaking at his inauguration on May 11, 2009 in Pretoria. He announced members of his cabinet as well as structural changes in the government.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA Feb 10 2010 08:16
It was "very, very quiet" in the Siyathemba township in Balfour on Wednesday morning after violent protests earlier in the week, Mpumalanga police said.
Sergeant Sam Tshabalala said the township calmed down at about 10pm on Tuesday.
"It is calm in the township and we have members on the ground monitoring the situation," said Tshabalala.
The police arrested 12 South Africans, both male and female, for public violence on Tuesday night.
"Some of them will also be linked to charges of malicious damage to state property after they damaged a police vehicle," said Tshabalala.
A foreign national was arrested for assault.
"It is alleged that he and a group of other foreign nationals attacked members of the public, but we still have to investigate whether this could be related to the violence."
Tshabalala said there were no reports of injuries during the night.
Twenty-two people were expected to appear in the Balfour Magistrate's Court on Wednesday to face charges of public violence related to the protests.
A municipal office was set alight in the township during the violence, which started on Sunday and continued into Monday.
Police had opened a case of arson, but no one had yet been charged, Tshabalala said.
About 15 foreigners who fled the violence went to the police station on Monday morning to ask to be accompanied back into the township to check on their shops and collect their belongings.
President Jacob Zuma visited Balfour last year following a series of protests at Siyathemba by residents demanding the removal of all Mbombela municipal councillors. - Sapa
Source: Mail & Guardian Online
Web Address: http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-02-10-cops-crack-down-on-balfour-protesters
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