BLF founder Andile Mngxitama has claimed to be behind the protest, but residents say they just want to occupy vacant land.
A resident of Ward 105 in Alexandra township places rocks on a burning barricade in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
A young resident of Ward 105 in Alexandra sits atop a rock as part of a barricade in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
Residents gather alongside a burning barricade in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
A resident shows his wound from a rubber bullet while another holds up empty shell casings in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
A resident inspects her vehicle damaged by police rubber bullet fire in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
Residents flee their home after a teargas canister was fired through their roof in Ward 105 in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
Residents of Ward 105 in Alexandra township wave off a police vehicle in front of a burning barricade in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
A protesting resident holds up an empty rubber bullet casing in front of a burning barricade in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
A man injured by a rubber bullet shows his wound in Ward 105 in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
A woman walks past a burning barricade in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
Police fire tear gas to disperse residents protesting for land in Ward 105, Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
An angry resident upset by police firing into houses gestures with empty rubber bullet casings in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
Residents disembark from vehicles in a blockaded road in Ward 105 in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
A burning log is seen in the road as the Gautrain goes by in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
A protesting resident walks in front of a burning barricade in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
A man shows off a wound he allegedly received when Gautrain security fired a live round which grazed him in Ward 105, Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
A young woman walks through a rock-strewn road past a police Nyala in Alexandra, Johannesburg on 2 July 2017. Residents attempted to occupy vacant land adjacent to the ward due to a lack of housing, but were fired upon by police and dispersed, with running battles between residents and police throughout the day. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia