UPDATE: Police manage to calm CBD protesters
Several shops on Lilian Ngoyi Street were looted and set alight by angry protesters.
Police and other law enforcement agencies have vowed to restore order in the city after a violent protest broke out in Pretoria on Wednesday morning.
Several shops on Lilian Ngoyi Street were looted and set alight by angry protesters.
The protest was believed to have been sparked after a clash between taxi operators and alleged drug dealers that led to the fatal shooting of a taxi driver (Jabu Baloyi) on Tuesday.
By Tuesday afternoon, the situation had calmed down after firefighters battled to put out the blaze that had ravaged seven shops with some of them completely burnt down.
Keep yourself and your family safe around #pretoriacbd#Pretoriashutdown #tshwane pic.twitter.com/MtulPA5iZh
— Vuledzani E Mulaudzi (@Vule_Mulaudzi) August 28, 2019
Tshwane mayor Stephens Mokgalapa strongly condemns the violence.
“There is no grievance that should result in death, irrespective of the circumstances between the individuals involved. I, therefore, take this opportunity to extend my deepest condolences to Mr Baloi’s family and those closest to him during this time of bereavement,” he said.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Additional police deployed to Pretoria CBD to quell violent protest, looting
“This confrontation has led to looting of shops and destruction of city and business infrastructure. Commuters have also been left stranded as the riots led to the suspension of Tshwane Bus Services including Gautrain buses.”
Mokgalapa appealed for calm and urged Tshwane residents, the taxi industry, informal traders and all other stakeholders to exercise restraint.
“These retaliation crimes are intolerable. However, I have full confidence in the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) and South African Police Service (SAPS) capabilities to bring the perpetrators to book.”
ALSO READ: Taxi violence brings CBD to standstill
The City’s law enforcement will continue to monitor activities in the CBD and apprehend drug peddlers who prey on vulnerable individuals for their illicit business.
“We have extinguished the fires on Lillian Ngoyi and Brown streets where 10 shops were completely burned down, including the first and third floor. Another building on Sisulu Street was set alight and we managed to extinguish it under the security of TMPD and SAPS,” said Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Charles Mabaso.
Motorists are adviced to avoid the city until the scene has been cleared.
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