Protestors plunge Mahikeng into chaos
Protesting residents of the Montshioa township near Mahikeng in North West have set alight at least two vehicles amid violent protests in the area.
The protests started on Wednesday morning.
Community members are apparently demanding the resignation of Premier Supra Mahumapelo.
The premier, who is facing a motion of no confidence in the provincial legislature, is mired in accusations of corruption and maladministration.
He was also recently fingered by African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) leader Collen Maine as the person who introduced him to the controversial Gupta family.
ALSO READ: Vote of no confidence against Mahumapelo postponed
Police spokesperson Adéle Myburgh says the situation is chaotic.
"It is mostly school children who are participating in this protest action, they are blocking the streets and a bus and a taxi have been set alight. At this stage the situation is still continuing."
It is still unclear if police have made any arrests.
The motion of no confidence in Mahumapelo was brought by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the province.
It is currently the subject of a legal wrangle, with the EFF demanding that the motion be voted on by way of a secret ballot.
"We are aware of the protest in the province, in particular in Mahikeng, and many other areas in the province. The protests are about service delivery and the corruption that is currently happening. The communities are demanding that the premier must resign," says EFF North West chairperson Papiki Babuile.
#BusStrike
— Modise_Moremi® (@mO_Moremi) April 18, 2018
This strike is serious moz .mafikeng right now👇 pic.twitter.com/Vz1AX9lbaC
The motion of no confidence against Mahumapelo was supposed to be debated on Tuesday but was postponed due to a court application by the EFF.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe has confirmed the party's National Working Committee will visit the province to hold discussions with the provincial executive committee and the ANC caucus.
"We are going there to listen to the challenges and interact with ANC structures and all of that. It would be premature for us to develop a view on the situation when you are visiting structures to really assess and establish the health of your own organisation," says Mabe.
The high-level visit comes amid reports that several ANC members in the legislature are prepared to vote in favour of removing Mahumapelo.
The provincial government could not be reached for comment.