/ 9 March 2010

Protesters fire live ammunition in Tshwane

Protesters fired live ammunition at firemen, pelted police with stones and barricaded roads in Mamelodi East, the city of Tshwane said on Tuesday.

Protesters fired live ammunition at firemen, pelted police with stones and barricaded roads in Mamelodi East, the city of Tshwane said on Tuesday.

“The situation is very tense,” said spokesperson Console Tleane.

He said the protests started around 8pm on Monday and were still continuing by 8am on Tuesday morning.

“Protesting residents burnt tyres and other items and barricaded roads. Tshwane metro police and South African Police Service [SAPS] members who were called to the scene were pelted with stones,” said Tleane.

“Tshwane fire brigade services personnel could not completely put out the fires as they also came under attack and there were running battles all over.

“Some protesters fired live ammunition.”

He said the protest action was led by residents of Phomolong and that several streets, including Tsamaya road at the corner of Mabena street, and Hans Strydom road at the corner of Hector Peterson street, had been barricaded.

“It is anticipated that motorists and other commuters may find difficulty going to work especially in the affected areas.”

There was also protest action in Hammanskraal on Monday night, but that was contained just before midnight.

“The same happened near Hebron which was also contained. Last night’s [Monday] protests followed earlier ones in Soshanguve on Monday morning.

“Metro police and SAPS stations in the affected areas are on high alert and will do everything in their power to bring the situation to normal.” — Sapa