There has been an uneasy calm in the North West province this weekend following three days of violent protests that started on Wednesday in the capital, Mahikeng. It spread to other areas on Friday.
Itsoseng and Taung residents have vowed to continue pushing for the removal of Premier Supra Mahumapelo.
Police say they are on high alert to respond to any resurgence of protests.
During the three days, furious residents held the North West capital hostage, demanding its first citizen Mahumapelo step down.
Businesses and schools were shut down, healthcare at hospitals was severely disrupted and property damaged.
Amongst those impacted by the protests are foreign nationals, many of whom owned small businesses. Their livelihoods have been destroyed.
A Bangladeshi national has operated a general dealer at Lomanyaneng village for 12 years. It now lies in ruins after being looted on Friday.
However, there is a ray of hope. A Non-Governmental Organisation, the Muslim Community Camp, and the Department of Social Development have stepped in to help hundreds of displaced foreigners with food and shelter.
“We need clothes, we need food. I don’t know how many people are here. Some got food, and some didn’t. Right now, we don’t have any cash to buy anything from outside,” says one of the foreigners.
After three days of running battles, relative calm set in over the weekend. However will it hold?
“The residents and everyone will be safe, even tomorrow (Monday) because we’ve spoken to the Saps this morning (Sunday). They’ll be there to protect our people. There is no one who is going to be harmed. No one who is going to be left; everyone should go to work tomorrow (Monday). Everybody must go to school. Everyone will be safe,” says Mayor of Mahikeng Local Municipality Betty Diakanyo.
There have also been protests and looting in other parts of the North West prompting the provincial police to put their forces on high alert.
“The police will continue to monitor the situation even in Mafikeng although the situation has calmed a bit. We will be there. We’ll deploy our members. In situations like this, it can be quiet now but anything can happen within an hour,” says SAPS North West’s Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone.
Thirty-two people have been arrested for public violence since Wednesday. Nine have been released on warnings and will appear in court on the 29 May.
The Mahikeng campus of the North West University has also decided to suspend classes.
Monday’s graduation ceremony at the institution has also been postponed.
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