REPORT: Suspect arrested for striking mayor with knobkierie

Police in Willowmore have reportedly arrested a 47-year old man in connection with the brutal attack on Baviaans Local Municipality Mayor, Ewald Loock.

According to Eyewitness News, the man is expected to face a charge of attempted murder after Loock was struck over the head by knobkierie on Friday morning, while trying to address municipal workers who had embarked on a strike over pay disputes, following the inclusion of Rietbron to the municipality.

In a statement issued this morning, Democratic Alliance (DA) constituency leader Malcom Figg said police also failed to prevent the workers, who allegedly started striking on Monday, from damaging municipal property and that the problem could not be resolved solely by the municipality.

Last year, then-Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Pravin Gordham announced that the municipality would merge with the African National Congress (ANC)-run Camdeboo and Ikwezi Local Municipalities, after the Municipal Demarcation Board confirm a shift in municipal boundary lines.