Protester sustains injuries after alleged assault in Setswetla informal settlement
One protester was left with injuries after demonstrators allegedly clashed with residents in Setswetla informal settlement.
One protester was injured on Tuesday after a group of demonstrators diverted from the main march route into the Setswetla informal settlement, where they encountered resistance, allegedly from some residents opposed to the protest.
The incident occurred as scores of demonstrators moved along Florence Mophosho Road in Alexandra. A faction of the group broke away and entered Setswetla, triggering the confrontation.
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Sabelo Dlamini arrived at the Alexandra Police Station as the main group of protesters were handing out a memorandum. He was bleeding from wounds sustained in the clash. Paramedics attended to him shortly after his arrival.
According to Dlamini, the group did not initiate violence, but some residents allegedly believed that the protesters were threatening or assaulting people in the area.
“We did not fight with them. They might have thought that maybe we are assaulting people, but we never fought with anyone.”
He added that while he managed to escape, other protesters were left behind in the settlement.
Sibabalo Mgijima, chairperson of the Alex Community Policing Forum (CPF), who has been monitoring protest activity since Monday, confirmed the violence. He attributed the clash to the fragmentation of the main protest group.
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“When groups separate, it becomes difficult to prevent the occurrence of such incidents.”
He noted that alcohol consumption by some protesters might have further heightened tensions and increased the risk of escalation.
Despite the reduction in protester numbers in the afternoon, Mgijima said the CPF will continue to respond to reports and monitor developments to ensure demonstrations remain within the law.
He further commended the overall conduct of the protesters, saying the demonstrations were largely peaceful and orderly despite a significant turnout.
While the police received and signed the memorandum, they did not provide any further comments on it. They also declined to comment on the incidents of violence in Setswetla.
Mgijima said the CPF would seek further updates from the police regarding the Setswetla incident.
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