By Obakeng Maje

Taung-Police are investigating a case of arson and public violence after Mamokwane residents burned down their chief’s house.

No one has been arrested yet and police are searching for suspects.

Protesters set alight a house in Manokwane village in Taung on Friday morning, North West police said.

Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said the house was being rebuilt after it was set alight last year.

“The community has demands to the municipality… It’s like (they are) holding the municipality ransom,” said Mokgwabone.

The details of their demands were not clear.

“We don’t know their demands,” he said.

Contractors started rebuilding the house on Monday. It was set alight around 1am on Friday.

Residents of the village opposed the rebuilding of the house by the municipality, saying they wanted their demands met first, by both the municipality and the chieftancy.

The house was not occupied during the fire, and no reports of any injuries had been filed.

Two other houses were set alight in the village last year.

A case of arson was opened. – Sapa