WATCH: Stun grenades, water cannons used in Cape Town protest for jobs

Stun grenades, water cannons have been used to disperse large crowds in Cape Town, protesting against job losses and calling for the tourism industry to be opened.

In a hashtag #JobsSaveLives, a group camped outside parliament have apparently been met by a fierce hand from police, who in videos on social media are seen dispersing crowds using water cannons.

Some protesters claim the police even sprayed water cannons on people who were seated having coffee, at the Truth Coffee shop. The allegation is yet to be confirmed by police.

Protesters from the hospitality and tourism industry are protesting for the sector be given a lifeline.

So this is how you treat your citizens exercising their democratic right to peacefully protest against the crippling regulations for which you've provided no relief? I am disgusted #NotProudlySA #ServeUsPlease #JobsSaveLives #Protest #CapeTown @News24 @ewnreporter @GovernmentZA pic.twitter.com/qz5G2u3zlr

— BP (@bananaparrot69) July 24, 2020

Citizens assembling peacefully to protest the shutdown of their livelihoods and loss of their jobs are water-cannoned, stun-grenaded and treated like criminals by the very government that has asked them to sacrifice so much! pic.twitter.com/cAFaPcX34f

— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) July 24, 2020

4: Police get tough on tourism protesters in Cape Town city centre.

Bridgette Wutoh, a hostess at @TRUTHcoffee was hit by a powerful jet from the police water-canon, and was knocked off her feet.

Now being treated by a first-aider at the coffee shop.@News24 @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/61bDQjegFy

— MURRAY WILLIAMS (@NoSurrenderRSA) July 24, 2020

One protester holding a loudspeaker said people have lost their jobs yet stun grenades were used.

Note: This is a developing story, and will be updated as more details from police and protesters become available.

Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news

Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).