Mass protests flare up across Gauteng ahead of no-confidence vote
Matthew Savides‚ Jan Bornman And Naledi Shange
Protests broke out across Gauteng on Tuesday morning ahead of the no-confidence vote against President Jacob Zuma.
Johannnesburg metro police shared this video.
>https://twitter.com/JMPDSafety/status/894807668778577920Bus services were disrupted by blockades‚ hours ahead of the crucial vote in parliament.
"Rea Vaya buses are not operating this morning due to road blockages in Soweto.Passengers will be updated on the situation during the day‚" the bus operator tweeted.
>https://twitter.com/ReaVayaBus/status/894795092283797506Putco buses were reportedly also affected by the strike action.
Commuters expressed their frustration on social media.
>https://twitter.com/sibongilelunga/status/894764622238101504https://twitter.com/Sphawa_Sobhuza/status/894799624531304448
https://twitter.com/makepisi_/status/894791242286075904
According to reports‚ community-led protests were under way in Turffontein‚ Benoni‚ Protea Glen‚ Centurion‚ Dobsonville‚ GaRankuwa‚ Braamfontein‚ Zandspruit‚ Diepkloof‚ Rosettenville‚ Mamelodi‚ Atteridgeville and Soshanguve‚ among other places.
Roads affected included:
- The N12 near the Avalon cemetry‚
- The Soweto motoway‚
- Chris Hani Drive‚
- Reverend Frederick S. Modise Drive‚
- Bolani street‚
- Harry Meyer road in Booysens‚
- Rifle Range‚ and the following streets in the Johannesburg inner city
- Mandela Bridge‚
- the corner of Biccard and de Korte‚
- corner of Jorissen and De Beer‚
- Beyers Naude drive near Zandspruit‚
- the R562 and R55 near Olivernhoutbosch‚
- the Golden Highway‚
- Westlake and Mainreef Road‚
- Elias Motsoaledi and Mainreef Road.
Johannesburg Metro Police spokesman Wayne Minnaar said officers had their hands full attending to action in multiple locations.
"It's said that are linked to the vote of no confidence‚" said Minnaar.
His colleague‚ Edna Mamonyane‚ said the protests appeared coordinated.
"There are no protesters in the various locations. They are blockading the roads the rocks and with burning tyres and then moving on to the next location‚" she said.
Mamonyane said a bakkie laden with rocks and tyres was confiscated by police in Soweto‚ but the occupants ran away before they could be arrested.
>https://twitter.com/ewntraffic/status/894767950049292288 TMG Digital.