NEWSFLASH: Violence erupts in west after Bremer Street settlement fire
“We have been monitoring the situation closely and the roads have since been reopened."
Violence erupted in the west of Pretoria as residents from the Bremer Street informal settlement burnt tyres and pelted passing motorists with stones at noon today.
Police managed to disperse the protest and the area is open to traffic again.
The protest comes within less than 24 hours after the settlement was ravaged by a fire late yesterday afternoon at around 3:00.
More than 30 dwellings were destroyed in the fire and there were no reported injuries.
Protesters were reportedly demanding food and threatening to loot local shops.
ALSO READ: Shacks destroyed in Bremer Street fire
Hercules CPF members and police were monitoring the scene along Bremer Street north and south.
“We have been monitoring the situation closely and the roads have since been reopened,” said Hercules CPF spokesperson Ricky Louw.
“Hercules police are negotiating with the protesters at the settlement at the moment.”
Assistance poured in from all over Pretoria after the fire broke out.
Some residents were reportedly unsatisfied with the donations received from the local community and disaster management.
Hercules police could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.
This is a developing story.
Updates to follow.
ALSO READ: Centurion fire leaves 70 homeless
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