POLICE used stun grenades this morning in an attempt to disperse die-hard supporters of criminally charged Durban Mayor, Zandile Gumede as their protest action calling for the reinstatement of Gumede, turned violent outside City Hall.

Gumede’s supporters braved the cold on Wednesday night to host the vigil, protesting against the African National Congress’s (ANC) decision to extend her leave.

Berea Mail reporter Rudy Nkgadima who is at the scene, said metro police claimed they were forcibly removing the protestors because the disturbance was “outside City Hall which is a national key point”.

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They also said that protestors had no right to shut down Dr Pixley Ke Seme Road.

As metro police grappled with Gumede’s protestors, forcing them onto the ground and arresting them, one freelance journalist, Sihle Mavuso, was assaulted and arrested by police who mistook him for a protestor. Reports from the scene said Mavuso and other journalists had kept shouting to police that he was a journalist, but their pleas were ignored.

Gumede was placed on a 30-day suspension last month pending the outcome of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee investigation, after she was charged with corruption involving a multi-million Rand waste tender.

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She was set to return to her duties yesterday.

However, the ANC’s provincial secretary general said yesterday the investigation was almost complete and a decision would be made when the committee meets in the first week of August to take a final decision on the matter.

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This morning, Gumede’s supporters continued with their protest, blocking Dr Pixley Ka Seme Road, forcing officials to divert traffic.

There have been reports that some of the protesters threatened municipal staff as they arrived for work.

As the violence erupted and metro police began arresting the protestors, many of them fled the scene.

The road is open to traffic and a strong police presence remains outside City Hall.

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