Update: More firepower deployed to quell CBD tensions

There was a strong police presence in the Pretoria CBD on Thursday morning after violent protests broke out in the city the day before.

The violence was sparked by the fatal shooting of Jabu Baloyi, a 45-year-old taxi driver, on Tuesday following an altercation with alleged drug dealers.

“Taxi drivers operating at Bloed Street Taxi Rank in Pretoria were reportedly chasing alleged drug addicts when a shot was fired, fatally wounding one driver,” said police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo.

“He was certified dead at the scene.”

ALSO READ: UPDATE: Police manage to calm CBD protesters

The incident angered his colleagues who went on a rampage on Wednesday, setting alight and looting numerous shops.

Central police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe confirmed that eight people have been arrested for arson, 12 for the possession of stolen goods and four for business breakings on Wednesday.

Tshwane transport MMC Sheila Senkubuge and safety and security MMC Karen Meyer along with Gauteng police commissioner, Lt Gen Elias Mawela, MEC Jacob Mamabolo and leaders of taxi associations said their top agenda on Thursday morning was to avoid a repeat of the violence.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: Additional police deployed to Pretoria CBD to quell violent protest, looting

They said they had put in place sustainable measures to keep the CBD a safe place for residents to live, work and play in.

“The City of Tshwane has formed a task team and devised a plan of action to quell tensions in the CBD and ensure that law and order is restored for the benefit of residents,” said Meyer.

This follows a meeting initiated by Senkubuge, Meyer, Mawela, Mamabolo and leaders of taxi associations who form part of the task team.

Meyer said the intention of the task team was to work together and discuss any information that requires a proactive response to any potential risks.

ALSO READ: UPDATE: Pretoria CBD engulfed in flames as shops set alight, looted

On Tuesday, police and their Tshwane metro counterparts arrested 10 people for possession of suspected stolen property, while an additional seven were arrested for public violence.

Mawela commitment the police to investigating allegations of drug peddling in the Bloed Street area and assured the taxi industry that feedback would be given in a short space of time.

Taxi industry representatives distanced themselves from the looting, and reiterated their operators were not aggressive.

“We had planned for a demonstration to highlight some of our issues with the shooting, and we believe some criminal elements took advantage and exploited our plan to advance their criminal intent,” said Mack Makata of the Santaco taxi organisation.

The metro has also vowed bus operations would return to normal.

However, “the City will be monitoring bus operations closely and will pull back if the need arises,” it said.

Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:

Rekord East
Rekord North
Rekord Centurion
Rekord Moot

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram