Nyanga police have opened a case of malicious damage to property for further investigation following violent protest action that erupted in Govern Mbeki Road, Philippi, on Tuesday.
According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, residents from the Ramaphosa informal settlement engaged in protest action on Tuesday, near the City’s construction project site in Ward 80.
The protests reportedly started on Monday but became violent shortly after 17h30 on Tuesday, soon after the contractor (who has been working under armed guards, supported by both SAPS and City Law Enforcement officers), left the area at the end of the contractor’s day shift.
It is alleged that the protestors demanded community and business inclusion in the MyCiti transport project.
According to police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana, after protestors allegedly threw a petrol bomb at a bus.
Manyana says the complainant was driving from Hout Bay to Makhaza when he was stopped by a community member who informed him that buses are being burnt, and he quickly opened the bus so that the passengers could get off.
“It is alleged that people from Ramaphosa walked towards the bus and they threw a petrol bomb,” said Manyana
It was later confirmed to have been a Golden Arrow Bus Services bus. Police have confirmed that no one has been arrested as yet, investigation continues.
According to Quintas, the protestors were allegedly extortionists masked as protesters.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms any behaviour by extortionists masked as protesters that results in damages to public and private property and keeps the City back from delivering services to communities that need them most,” added Quintas
Anyone who may have information regarding this incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 0111.
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