UPDATE: Shops and bus damaged in CBD protest
A bus belonging to the Tshwane Bus Service was thrown with stones and damaged while one of the drivers was robbed of cash.
Several shops as well as a bus were damaged in the CBD area of Pretoria during the protests in the city center on Wednesday.
According to Tshwane metro spokesperson, Selby Bokaba one of the buses belonging to the Tshwane Bus Service (TBS) was pelted with stones and damaged while one of the drivers was robbed of cash.
“Some of the passengers were forced out of the buses. Most of the streets in the CBD have been closed and cordoned off, thus affecting the bus routes. Against this background, we decided to withdraw the buses back to the depot in order to safeguard our assets and for the safety of our drivers and passengers.
“Yesterday, we forewarned our TBS commuters about a possible disruption of services today. This was as a result of planned marches that were expected to take place within the CBD,” Bokaba said.
He added that the City anticipated normal operations on the first portion of the Wednesday.
“However, due to the criminal incident that occurred this morning, we were forced to withdraw our services.”
Commuters were advised to make alternative travel arrangements.
“We regret the inconvenience caused by the withdrawal of TBS as well as that of A Re Yeng bus operations, however, the decision was made to safeguard our assets and to safeguard the lives of our drivers as well as the commuters. The City of Tshwane will always strive to ensure that a safe, efficient and reliable bus service is always provided to the Tshwane bus customers.”
Several shops and a petrol shop were also damaged and looted.
Protesters who marched in the capital allegedly damaged a Sunnyside petrol station and took food and drinks as they carried on marching to the Union buildings.
“They took things they wanted after throwing stones which they were throwing everywhere,” said a source.
The protesters who are members of the red beret party throw stones at the petrol attendants and damaged the windows of the shop.
The source revealed to the Rekord that police arrived and left the scene after asking if petrol was taken.
“They only asked if petrol was taken [from the garage] and the attendants said no the police abruptly left”
Earlier chaos erupted outside the St Alban’s Cathedral were the SaveSouthAfrica protesters were holding their addresses in the Pretoria city centre.
SaveSouthAfrica protesters were advised to remain calm and not to leave the church premises on Francis Baard Street as several areas were targeted and damaged by EFF protesters.
Security at the church warned the SaveSouthAfrica members to remain calm and to stay inside the premises.
The gate of the church was locked and many were left seemingly stranded outside as a cloud of red EFF supporters came running towards and past the church.
Tensions rose as EFF members stopped outside the church demanding to be let in.
Chanting “this is our country,” EFF supporters with some wielding weapons marched on as they realised the gate had been locked.
A loud bang was heard, causing a near stampede as SaveSouthAfrica protesters moved further into the church and away from the gate.
Metro police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said the CBD was “dysfunctional” by noon.
Mahamba added the police were worried about the safety of the public.
“Hence people are advised not to go to the inner city or Sunnyside and Arcadia. Currently there is no violence. The situation is being monitored.”
Also read:
UPDATE: Four arrested in mass marches
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