Eight people were arrested for public violence following an altercation with police on Tuesday morning. The altercation took place during the “Western Cape Total Shutdown”, on Jakes Gerwel Drive.
Police made use of both stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse crowds of protesters after violence broke out at several locations across the Cape.
The eight arrests took place at the corner of Bluegum Road and Jakes Gerwel Drive in Bonteheuwel. Here protestors had violent run-ins with police that disrupted traffic.
Speaking to News24, Total Shutdown protestor, Gatto Wanza, said that the police were infringing on their right to protest. “The police used violence against our people. They tried to block us from entering the arterial where it is our right to protest,” he said. “They are infringing on our rights because they want to protect the rich communities. We are marching because of the abject poverty and social decay in our communities.”
Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said that there had not been any formal application to protest, and so the protest was illegal.
All roads are now reopened.
Pictures: Supplied