WATCH: Police brutality reportedly the reason for Ulundi riots

Commuters were unable to get in or out of Ulundi this (Monday) morning as all routes in the CBD, as well as the R66 between Ulundi and Nongoma, have been blocked by protesters since 2am.

It is unclear whether or not all routes have been reopened, but SAPS are on scene.

Protest action began last night after scores of angry residents blockaded the R66 in the Mbilane area of Ulundi, and were reportedly throwing stones at passing vehicles.

Police used rubber bullets to disperse the crowd and five people were arrested for public violence.

They are expected to appear at the Mahlabathini Magistrate’s Court today.

Protest action resumed, however, at about 2am today when a group of about 3 000 people blockaded the R66 with burning tyres and other debris.

Taxi drivers blocked all routes in the Ulundi CBD.

‘Public Order Police (POP) and local police are at the scene to stabilise the situation,’ said SAPS spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala.

The protest was triggered by the death of local taxi driver, Mandondo Dludla, who is alleged to have been beaten to death by members of the Public Order Police unit.

Residents claim that the police received a tip-off that Dludla was in possession of an illegal firearm.

They went to his home on Thursday afternoon to search, but they could not find anything.

‘They started assaulting him in the presence of his family, demanding the gun, but he was denying it,’ said the source.

The source alleges that police left him at the scene with various wounds and he was bleeding profusely.

‘The family rushed him to the local clinic but he was declared dead upon arrival,’ said the source.

Captain Gwala said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was investigating the allegations.