Seven arrested for public violence amid shutdown unrest on N8

SEVEN people, including a minor, were arrested on Monday, July 14, following incidents of public violence linked to the shutdown protest in Kimberley.

According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, the arrests took place near Greenpoint along the N8 national road, where tyres were set alight and disruptions to traffic were reported early in the morning. 

Members of the Kimberley Public Order Police unit intervened to prevent the unrest from spreading and to ensure the safety of motorists and residents in the area.

Law enforcement officials remained on the ground, monitoring what was described as a volatile situation. Motorists travelling in and around Kimberley were advised to proceed with caution and use alternative routes where possible.

The shutdown — aimed at highlighting poor service delivery, rising electricity tariffs, crumbling infrastructure, and calling for Sol Plaatje Municipality Speaker Dipuo Peters to step down — began later than planned, with a group of about 70 protesters setting off from the Kemo Hotel in Square Hill Park at around 10am.

The marchers intended to converge at the Trim Park before heading to the Northern Cape Premier’s Office to hand over a memorandum of grievances.

The original plan had been for protesters to begin assembling at 5.30am in multiple areas across Kimberley, including Roodepan, Galeshewe, Homevale, Homelite, Colville, Floors, Mogul Park, and Greenpoint.

Besides Greenpoint, scattered disruptions were also reported in Galeshewe, where tyres were burnt in Seochwareng Street, and some residents were apparently unable to access the city due to blocked roads.

Several traffic disruptions had been expected in and around Kimberley; however, by 10.30am it was largely business as usual in the city.

Last week, multiple groups signalled their intention to take part in the protest, including taxi operators; Ward 18 residents, who protested outside the Sol Plaatje Municipality on Thursday over housing issues; Homelite residents affected by ongoing power outages; water meter installers, reportedly unhappy about payment tariffs; and the Central Northern Cape Business Forum.

Kimberley Action Group (KAG) organiser Boyce Makodi had continually confirmed that the demonstration would be peaceful and monitored by peace officers.

Colonel Ehlers said on Monday that the police have urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information on social media, stressing that official updates will be issued through the SAPS’s formal communication platforms.