JOHANNESBURG, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The South African police on Friday strongly condemned the destruction of government property by protesters in the North West Province.
The police said community members started their protest on Wednesday.
"The violent protests led to the torching of municipal offices, two trucks and a tractor while one police vehicle was damaged after it was pelted with stones when protesters tried to attack the Magistrates' Court," said North West Province police spokesperson Captain Sam Tselanyane.
He stated that the protesters burnt tyres and other objects disrupting the flow of traffic in the two busy roads. The protest brought business to a standstill with business closing, people not going to work and children not going to school.
Tselanyane said, "On Thursday protesters continued with violent demonstrations and in the process burnt the Letsopa Community Library and damaged a police armored vehicle known as Nyala after it was thrown with a petrol bomb."
Following these incidents, 14 suspects were arrested for public violence and arson.
North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane also condemned the violent protests.
Motswenyane said they will deal with criminality disguised as service delivery protests.
She stated that those with grievances should air them in a peaceful and reach an amicable solution.
