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WATCH: Mayhem as #FreeZuma protest continues

ZO LIVE UPDATES: Please note this story is being updated throughout the day with breaking news updates of unfolding protest action across Zululand

July 12, 2021
Erica Abrahams 2 minutes read
The torched remains of Home Hyper and surrounding stores in Empangeni CBD

LIVE UPDATES:  

WATCH: The aftermath of destruction and looting at Empangeni CBD. The torched remains of Home Hyper and surrounding stores captured by ZO journalist Muzi Zincume 

Chaos erupted around the region, with shops being looted, closed and businesses literally grinding to a halt.

Mayhem continued throughout the weekend into Monday, with emergency services urging motorists to stay off the roads unless in an emergency.

Road closures

While the John Ross and the N2 remain clear this (Monday) morning, surrounding areas have been rife with unrest.

The R66 between eShowe and Gingindlovu is blocked after hundreds of protesters burned tyres and debris, blocking all access to the towns. A series of gunshots was fired during the riots earlier this morning.

Numerous shopping centres, supermarkets and liquor outlets were reportedly looted this morning. The R102 at Ndabayake has been blocked with burning tyres.

Dumisani Makhaye Village is closed off.

A large group of protesters have blocked Dune Road from Mzingazi. Protesters are attempting to move into Meerensee.  Police and other security teams are on scene.

Protestors on Dune road from Mzingazi heading towards Meerensee

The N2 at Mtubatuba from Nkodibe is also closed. Both carriageways of the N2 at Mvoti toll are closed.

Closure of businesses and transport services

Most businesses were advised to close their doors until tensions die down. The Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre, Town Square Mall and Lakeside Shopping Centre in Richards Bay, as well as Sanlam Centre in Empangeni are closed.

Meanwhile, the KZN Taxi Association resolved to cease operations of minibus taxis on Monday.

Some bus services will not be operating until further notice. Trucking companies have been urged not to travel at night.

Destruction

Protesters have attempted to set alight the Boxer store in eNseleni. Police and the fire department are at the scene. Mayhem erupted at eSikhawini Tops and Spar this morning, with scores of protesters looting the store.

Last night protesters threw a hand grenade at the FNB ATM outside eSikhawini Plaza in an attempted bombing. The grenade, however, did not explode. Disaster management confirmed to the ZO that a petrol bomb was thrown into Hungry Lion at the eSikhawini Mall last night.

Security personnel managed to break one of the windows, and the flames were extinguished.

Aquarius liquor store in Tanner Road, Empangeni was looted by protesters last night, with the Picardi liquor store at Central Park Centre in Empangeni also looted just before midnight.

A liquor store in the Richards Bay CBD has also been ransacked by protesters. Police have been dispatched to the scene. 

While farms around Empangeni and Mtunzini have also been set alight by protesters.

Two Empangeni farmers were reportedly trapped in their homesteads with scores of people demonstrating on their property.

Police are on scene. Most petrol and service stations are also closed running out of petrol.

 

See more ZO live updates: https://web.facebook.com/ZululandObserver

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
July 12, 2021
Erica Abrahams 2 minutes read

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