UPDATE: Protesters reportedly injured as police open fire during Newcastle shutdown
Reports indicate multiple protesters have been transported to hospital after police fired rubber bullets, at the Allen Street/ HJ van Eck Drive protest scene.
In a live video, available here, Solly Maharaj said he witnessed police officials opening fire on a protester, injuring others nearby. He described the incident:
“We were standing on the side of the road here; the protesters are not burning any tyres, they’re just demonstrating peacefully on the road and the police opened fire. A lady got shot in the leg and a man got shot through the jaw, and they’ve taken them to the [hospital]. We are all now just at the side of the road, just trying to be safe.”
Maharaj said protesters were now at the roadside ‘trying to be safe’ and believes there was no justification for police to open fire at ‘peaceful protesters’. He himself is there to support the march, as he is against the rates hikes by the municipality.
SAPS spokesman, Captain Jabulani Ncube, said he could not confirm reports of shooting at the protest scene, as he is stationed at Kwamathukuza. However, he has indicated looting is taking place there. It is believed SAPS officials in the area have requested backup.
“Madadeni is on fire,” he said.
READ MORE: Newcastle shut down by protes
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