Butterworth – Twenty-six people were arrested on Monday after violent protests broke out in Ngqamakhwe, Butterworth, Eastern Cape police said.

Colonel Sibongile Soci said 18 women and eight men were taken into custody.

“We are reiterating our warning that members of the community should consider the consequences of their actions,” Soci said in a statement.

The group would appear in the Ngqamakhwe Magistrate’s Court on public violence charges on Tuesday.

The province’s education department said matric exams in the area started without a glitch despite the violence. Residents blocked the main road into the town. Despite this exam papers were delivered to schools, spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said in a statement.

Sapa