Ramaphosa's urgent trip to the North West
President Cyil Ramapahosa cut short his business trip to the UK on Thursday night to fly back home and head to the North West, where violent protests have been spreading since it first erupted on Wednesday morning.
The President is set to engage with political leaders in a bid to call from calm among protestors adamant they want to see the resignation of embattled Premier Supra Mahumapelo.
Properties and structures have been damaged across the province by community members.
"President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted, with serious concern, reports of protest and clashes between protesters and police in the North-West Province," reads the statement released by the Presidency on Thursday night.
The president called for calm and asked residents to solve their grievances through peaceful means.
He added for "law-enforcement agencies to exercise maximum restraint in execution of their duties to return calm and normality to the province."
A total of 23 people have been arrested since Wednesday for charges ranging from public violence to damage to property.
Mahumapelo has appealed to those taking to the streets, to end the action.
The premier is facing mounting claims of corruption, with the latest allegation that his son was awarded a R1.1 million bursary from state-owned arms manufacturer Denel.