Hundreds protesting against Tshwane metro police
Hundreds of informal traders are protesting in the CBD, affecting traffic, the Tshwane Metro Police said.
Motorists are urged to avoid Boom Street in Pretoria CBD as hundreds of informal traders took to the streets on Tuesday to protest against the Tshwane Metro Police and the municipality, the Tshwane Metro Police said.
According to Tshwane Metro Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba, the estimated 450 protesters of the Tshwane Barekisi Forum, raised issues with the City of Tshwane, stating that they are constantly harassed by the Tshwane Metro Police officers.
“This protest is illegal as the City of Tshwane did not approve the march because we couldn’t agree with their conditions. We would like to reiterate that such cases of harassment by the Tshwane Metro Police should be reported to us so we can take the necessary disciplinary action,” said Mahamba.
He added that the department only hears of harassment allegations from the media rather than the victims. “People that are harassed by the metro police should note down the registration number or fleet number of their vehicles and report the issue straight to us. With that information, we can determine who was responsible for the alleged harassment. We as the department do not tolerate corrupt officials,” he said.
According to reports, the protesters include men in Economic Freedom Fighters shirts carrying sticks, sjamboks and rubber pipes.
“No injuries were reported and no one has been arrested. An analysis will be done after the protest to confirm any damages or injuries during the protest. Currently, the protesters are in Marabastad and traffic is interrupted on Boom Street,” said Mahamba.
