Bigger police presence at Northern Cape school protests

A bigger police presence with 24-hour patrols and air support was destined for the Northern Cape school protest areas, according to a report.

The Volksblad newspaper reported on Friday that schools in the Olifantshoek, Kuruman and Kathu areas had been disrupted for the past four months due to public protests in the areas.

The newspaper reports matrics from Olifantshoek, where three schools were closed for the past four months, had been moved to a hostel at Keimoes where they live and study.

In the Kuruman area 41 schools were closed.

More police vehicles from Pretoria would also be deployed.

The report stated that Northern Cape safety MEC Patrick Mabilo said on Thursday more police had been deployed to the Kuruman and Kathu areas.

He said the protests were about much more than service delivery.

"Heartless criminals use the situation for their own self-centred aims," he was quoted in the report.

He said no intimidation would be tolerated any more, and communities were urged to come forward (to the police) when it happens.

Mabilo said the government had no choice but to put pressure on the areas to stabilise the region, because residents were sick and tired of the situation.

Altogether 14 people had been arrested for damage to property in the past four months, while 58 were arrested for public violence.

Police were also looking for those responsible who burnt down three schools in Kuruman.

Mabilo said recently there had been a decrease in the incidents of public violence and destruction of property.