Highways blocked‚ motorists stoned‚ shops looted‚ the city centre evacuated and police missing in action. This was the scene in South Africa’s capital city on Tuesday.
Pretoria central business district was left nearly deserted on Tuesday afternoon as fears that political violence which has gripped the surrounding townships would spread to the city.
Businesses along entire city blocks were shut down‚ with iron grills firmly locked. Even hawkers were missing from their stands with police seen deploying along streets.
Since last night marauding mobs have ransacked‚ looted and torched businesses‚ buses‚ trucks and cars barricading all arterial roads leading into the city.
For kilometres the N1 outside Hammanskraal was locked down when protesters spilled onto the highway torching a bus and a truck.
On the N1 and N4 interchange‚ authorities blocked the two highways as protesters stoned motorists.
Roads leading into Atteridgeville‚ Mamelodi‚ Hammanskraal‚ Mabopane and Ga-Rankuwa were closed as protesters barricaded roads with burning tyres‚ trees and rubble.
The violence erupted on Monday night over anger over the ousting of former Pretoria mayor‚ Sputla Ramakgopa‚ who has been replaced as an ANC mayoral candidate by Thoko Didiza for the August 3 municipal elections.
Tshwane ANC insiders said the violence was driven by a revolt within the regional executive.
“There is anger. It is because this unknown woman has been forced on us. The ANC must not forget who put it there. It’s not government who put itself there‚ its the people on the ground at grassroots level.
“If they are not careful‚ their leaders will be removed... very careful.”
Mamelodi resident Joseph Mashoba said they wanted their leader.
“Sputla helped us. He’s built houses. He’s built roads and now he is removed. We will not tolerate this nonsense. The ANC must realise that they are not the boss.”
As Mamelodi was closed down by rioters‚ looters — many of them young children — turned on surrounding shops and factories‚ stealing food‚ alcohol and electronics.
A shop owner‚ who asked not to be named because of victimisation‚ said he was tired.
“I have been battling these people since last night. I have given up on trying to protect my stuff. The next person who comes into my store I will shoot in the head. The person who comes in after them will be shot in the head too.”
He said the police were nowhere to be seen.
The Times was unable to find any police officers trying to stop the violence‚ except along highways which had been shut down.
The police failed to respond to repeated calls for comment.
#Tshwane city centre shut down‚ as protesters demand ANC endorse incumbent mayor Sputla Ramakgopa
Pretoria central business district was left nearly deserted on Tuesday afternoon as fears that political violence which has gripped the surrounding townships would spread to the city.
Businesses along entire city blocks were shut down‚ with iron grills firmly locked. Even hawkers were missing from their stands with police seen deploying along streets.
Since last night marauding mobs have ransacked‚ looted and torched businesses‚ buses‚ trucks and cars barricading all arterial roads leading into the city.
For kilometres the N1 outside Hammanskraal was locked down when protesters spilled onto the highway torching a bus and a truck.
On the N1 and N4 interchange‚ authorities blocked the two highways as protesters stoned motorists.
Roads leading into Atteridgeville‚ Mamelodi‚ Hammanskraal‚ Mabopane and Ga-Rankuwa were closed as protesters barricaded roads with burning tyres‚ trees and rubble.
The violence erupted on Monday night over anger over the ousting of former Pretoria mayor‚ Sputla Ramakgopa‚ who has been replaced as an ANC mayoral candidate by Thoko Didiza for the August 3 municipal elections.
Tshwane ANC insiders said the violence was driven by a revolt within the regional executive.
“There is anger. It is because this unknown woman has been forced on us. The ANC must not forget who put it there. It’s not government who put itself there‚ its the people on the ground at grassroots level.
“If they are not careful‚ their leaders will be removed... very careful.”
Mamelodi resident Joseph Mashoba said they wanted their leader.
“Sputla helped us. He’s built houses. He’s built roads and now he is removed. We will not tolerate this nonsense. The ANC must realise that they are not the boss.”
As Mamelodi was closed down by rioters‚ looters — many of them young children — turned on surrounding shops and factories‚ stealing food‚ alcohol and electronics.
A shop owner‚ who asked not to be named because of victimisation‚ said he was tired.
“I have been battling these people since last night. I have given up on trying to protect my stuff. The next person who comes into my store I will shoot in the head. The person who comes in after them will be shot in the head too.”
He said the police were nowhere to be seen.
The Times was unable to find any police officers trying to stop the violence‚ except along highways which had been shut down.
The police failed to respond to repeated calls for comment.
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