Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied
The end to the week is a tumultuous one in parts of Soweto, as a number of demonstrators have taken to the streets to voice their anger. Reports of protests – and a host of burning tyres – surfaced early on Friday morning.
#JHBTraffic In Soweto there is protest action on Elias Motsoaledi and Maseru Road
— KayaTraffic (@KayaTraffic) July 12, 2019
It’s understood that the Braamfischer region of the town in Johannesburg has been brought to “a complete standstill”, as furious locals have managed to cause several instances of traffic disruption.
It’s not yet been established what has caused the protests in Soweto, but the area is blighted by poor service delivery and intermittent electricity cuts. A man was also gunned down on the busy Elias Motsoaledi Road on Thursday, and residents are said to be disgruntled with levels of crime in the area.
Braamfischer is on a standstill, with residents taking to the streets to blockade roads. Elias Motsoaledi road is the most affected with tires burning at Tshepo Temba traffic lights. Leaving or entering Dobsonville remains a mammoth task #Traffic @XolanWaleKenhuk @phaphamamlfm
— Owen Mafukele-VALOYI™ (@owenmafukele) July 12, 2019
A perfect storm of protestable incidents have brought us to this point, where several key commuter routes are either completely blocked off or closed to traffic. Here are the traffic disruptions in Johannesburg we know about so far:
JHB – Soweto: #ProtestAction RT @tknelwamondo @TrafficSA road closed @ Elias Motsoaledi next to Braamfischer and Tshepo Themba hospital due to protesting
— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) July 12, 2019
It’s worth noting that this is the second major protest to hit the area within two months. Shortly after the general election concluded in May, residents were out on the roads doing what we’ve seen from them again this week. Civility remains fragile in the area and the citizens of Soweto are seeking long-term solutions to their problems.
⚠️ALERT⚠️
— David Tembe (@AsktheChiefJMPD) May 21, 2019
Service Delivery Protests in Braamfischerville on Elias Motsoaledi Rd btwn Marie Louise & Braamfischer Rd. The road has been barricaded with rocks & burning tyres. Motorists are advised to avoid that area & use alternative routes pic.twitter.com/EKdIybgEZT