One person has been killed and two others injured during protests at the Siqalo settlement in Mitchells Plain on Wednesday evening. A shocking video shared on social media shows a taxi driving into a crowd of protestors, you can hear people screaming and the sound of someone being knocked.
It was later established that a 21-year-old man died in the incident. Residents from the Siqalo settlement were protesting for better water and electricity services when a taxi ploughed through the crowd that gathered on the corner of Jakes Gerwel Drive and the R300.
So when the residents of #MitchellsPlain voice there concerns over the #Siqaloprotest they get shot at #JakesGerwelDrive ? #rip to the dude that lost he’s life tonight. pic.twitter.com/9YQhxzqvji
— Anoncpt (@_Anoncpt_) May 2, 2018
Cape Town law enforcement spokesperson, Wayne Dyason, confirmed that a case of culpable homicide has been opened. Shortly after, bullets fired from the Colorado side of the same intersection resulted in a 51-year-old and 36-year-old being injured.
Two cases of attempted murder are being investigated for this incident. The day-long protest, which started in the early hours of Wednesday morning, saw an ATM set alight, as well as a vehicle. A fruit and vegetable stall near the ATM was also torched. Roads were blocked off by 500 protestors burning debris, demanding better service delivery for the informal settlement. Clashes also broke out between Mitchells Plain residents and Siqalo residents, resulting in 30 arrests by police.
@CyrilRamaphosa Mr President, if you are not aware, there is currently a violent protest happening in Cape Town, near Mitchell’s Plain. People have had their businesses and more burnt down by protesters. What is the government doing to stop this and help?
— rayaan (@Narras29) May 2, 2018
Dyason said all roads are open today and police are monitoring the situation carefully.
On Thursday morning, Premier Helen Zille and Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, met with leaders of the Mitchells Plain and Siqalo communities in order to discuss the violent protest.
Community leader Khaya Magaxa expressed that the Siqalo community needs for government to prioritize the delivery of water, sanitation and electricity services to residents.
Picture: Wayne Dyason