Photo: Twitter
Photo: Twitter
Law enforcement officials have dispersed a crowd of protesters in the City of Durban on Monday morning, after the sizeable group set fire to debris scattered across the main carriageway of Umgeni Road. The demonstration comes as South Africa braces itself for an attempted ‘National Shutdown’ on Monday.
The first rumblings of discontent were reported in the early hours of the morning. DA Shadow Security Minister, Dianne Kohler-Barnard, confirmed that a vehicle had been burned out – and slammed SAPS for an allegedly slow reaction:
“Some protesting along the usual Alpine/Umgeni roads in Durban from 03h50. A car burned. Private Security and CPFs informed the SAPS…who of course should have known this was going to happen and prevented it.”
Durban – Umgeni Road: #Protesting at Alpine Road pic.twitter.com/x7KGa4VS4H
— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) August 23, 2021
05h30
— Mabona Gumede (@GumedeMabona) August 23, 2021
23/08/2021
The fire has been extinguished and the protestors dispersed but roadway is still closed on Umgeni and Puntans hill. Authorities are on scene.
Update: Vehicle has just been torched on Umgeni Road. Please avoid Umgeni Road, Springfield area pic.twitter.com/GChm5sOMLP
23/08/2021 @ 05h45#TERRORISED IN PANDEMIC PROVINCES
— RIOT & ATTACK info South Africa (@RiotAndAttackSA) August 23, 2021
Umgeni/Alpine Rd.
KZN ALL CLEAR#SOUTHAFRICA pic.twitter.com/suIHUEEGJY
A leaked report detailing the specific plans of National Shutdown protesters for Monday had identified specific stores, roads, and areas in Phoenix, Tongaat, Durban North, and Verulam as ‘vulnerable targets’.
SAPS have beefed up their security operations for the week ahead, and it is also believed that national key points – such as ports and air terminals – as local authortities brace for some form of disruption.