Stone throwing incidents reported on Dundee/Vryheid road last night
Over 20 arrests were made, police said
There were several reports of cars being stoned on the Dundee/Vryheid road last night. The incidents followed another day of chaos in Dundee as protesters, demanding answers from the Endumeni Municipality regarding high service tariffs, housing backlogs and allegations of corruption, among other issues, took to the streets.
Burning tyres blocked several roads and again street signs and rubbish bins bore the brunt of the protesters’ fury. McKenzie Street was hit the hardest this time around as police and security officers kept the crowd away from Victoria Street following alleged threats that the final exam at Dundee High School would be disrupted.
Police were less tolerant this time around and used rubber bullets to clear protesters away from blocked roads. Crowds moved downtown towards the bus rank with a police Nyala vehicle in pursuit.
Burning tyres were used to block the Dundee/Vryheid road with burning tyres in the afternoon but rubber bullets sent the crowds fleeing into the adjacent veld.
Reports came through in the afternoon of a petrol bomb being thrown through a window at the historic Smith Cottage at Talana Museum. Staff were able to quickly respond and the flames were doused before there was serious harm although the smoke damage in the cottage is a concern. There were also reports of an attempt to start a fire at the adjacent Zulu cultural village.
Pockets of stone throwers gathered on the Dundee/Vryheid road, between the Peacevale turnoff and Talana Museum, to lob stones and bricks at passing vehicles. While police again used rubber bullets to break up the stone throwers, some motorists returning from the Biltongfees Dance at Battlefields Country Lodge reported that their cars were hit.
Police made around 20 arrests throughout the day – most charged with public violence.
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