Police in Botshabelo have prevented a potentially violent situation when they passively dispersed an unruly crowd in the Botshabelo area yesterday.
A group of approximately 1000 people clustered themselves in smaller groups along the Botshabelo Main Road, up to the N8 highway intersection. The groups were apparently protesting that they were promised accreditation for the ANC Centenary Celebration.
The group burnt tyres and littered the main road as well as the N8 and Botshabelo Highway intersection but as quickly as it began, police responded and dispersed the crowd without any use of force.
In the process of dispersing the crowd, seven people were arrested but later, three were released. The other four are still in police custody on charges of public disturbance.
The local police closely monitored the situation throughout the night and no further incidents have been reported.
Enquiries:
Colonel Vishnu Naidoo
Cell: 082 567 4153
Tel: 012-400 5212 /6579
Fax: 012 400 7018
E-mail: mediacentre@saps.org.za
Police Thwart Aggressive Protestors
