Pretoria - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has expressed concern at the situation in Ermelo and condemned the acts of violence.
"While people have the constitutional right to express their dissatisfaction with any service delivery issue affecting them, they need to do so within the boundaries of the law," he said.
Government would not allow criminality to creep in during any legitimate protest, Mthethwa added.
"We shall not tolerate any such opportunistic behavior in cases where we discover people who damage properties, assault and intimidate society, including members of the media, as we have noted. Police will act decisively and toughly," he said.
This follows an outbreak of violence in the Wesselton township near Ermelo. On Tuesday protesters blocked roads, threw stones at police, burnt tyres and damaged infrastructure.
National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele, who is expected to visit the area today, has instructed a team of highly skilled police officers to be deployed to the area.
Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner Thulani Ntobela had also deployed additional SAPS members, including top-ranking officers to take command and control of police operations.
Police have said they would take all reasonable measures necessary to restore peace and stability to the area.
"There is no place in South Africa for indiscriminate acts of public violence and criminality and those who attack law enforcement officials will most certainly be brought to book," Cele said.
