THE situation is calm at N8 park informal settlement in Botshabelo, Free State following two days of violent protest.
The angry residents embarked on an intensive service delivery protest on Monday, 26 February and in the early hours of Tuesday, 27 February.
The residents point fingers at Mangaung Mayor Gregory Nthatisi for allegedly forcing the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) to facilitate the process of formalising their residential area.
Community leader Potso Matoko told Daily Sun that the mayor instructed residents to allow the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) to lead them.
Matoko said the community had several meetings with the mayor concerning the formalisation of the disadvantaged N8 Park informal settlement.
"The mayor agreed that N8 Park will be formalised. We were surprised that after the meetings we had with the mayor, we wanted to bring Sanco without our knowledge. We don't want political interference. Sanco is affiliated with the ANC, which might comprise an excellent initiative for formalising our place. We decided to put the N8 on a standstill so that the message will quickly reach the Mayor and relevant department," Matoko said.
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The angry mob shut down the N8 highway, but police managed to disperse them.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Thabo Covane said eleven protesters aged between 20 and 47 have been arrested.
"Cases of public violence with added charges of Contravention of Criminal Matters Amendment Act 18/2015 and National Road Traffic Act 93/1996; Section 319 were opened at Boithuso cop shop," he said.
Mangaung municipal spokesman Qondile Khedama said the mayor had meetings with different community partners, not specifically Sanco.
"There's no political interference. We left no stone unturned to formalise N8 Park. We won't be discouraged by irresponsible allegations. We condemn the element of criminal where road signs were destroyed and used to barricade the road," he said.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Botshabelo Magistrates Court soon.
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