Mahikeng – No violence was reported in Boitumelong near Bloemhof on Tuesday morning, North West police said.

“Police are monitoring the scene. There has not been violence this morning [Tuesday]. There is nothing new,” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

On Monday, six houses and a community hall were torched during a violent protest in the area.

Schools were also disrupted and the N12 was barricaded with burning tyres. Police were pelted with stones and one nyala was petrol bombed. Two police officers were injured and taken to hospital.

Protesters were demanding the resignation of the mayor and some councillors, accusing them of nepotism and failing to deliver basic services.

Around 100 people have been arrested since the protest began last Wednesday. They have been charged with public violence and malicious damage to property.

Sixteen of them appeared in the Bloemhof Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The case was postponed to Friday when they were expected to apply for bail.

SAPA