As police intensify their patrols around Siyathemba township in Balfour residents arrested for public violence will appear in court today.

They were taken into custody during this week’s demonstrations.

On Tuesday evening Mpumalanga MECs called for calm in the area.

The protestors have accused the mayor of inefficiency and have called for him to step down.

However, Cooperative Governance MEC Norman Mokoena said Mayor Lefty Tsotetsi was not going anywhere.

QUIET MORNING IN SIYATHEMBA

On Wednesday morning it was unclear if the residents would calls by Mpumalanga leaders to stop using violence to voice their concerns.

It seemed a strengthened police presence discouraged demonstrators from spilling onto the street for the fourth straight morning.

However, businesses and schools in the area remained closed.

The MECs said they would not tolerate any more public buildings being destroyed.