WATCH: Taxi protest turns violent, stun grenades and rubber bullets used to disperse crowd Photos: Video
WATCH: Taxi protest turns violent, stun grenades and rubber bullets used to disperse crowd
Watch as a taxi protest against the high fuel prices turned violent when police fired stun grenades andrubber bullets to disperse the crowds.
WATCH: Taxi protest turns violent, stun grenades and rubber bullets used to disperse crowd Photos: Video
A taxi protest against the high fuel prices in Gqeberha on Thursday morning turned violent when police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.
WATCH AS TAXI PROTEST TURNS VIOLENT – RUBBER BULLETS AND STUN GRENADES USED
According to police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu, about 20 taxis mobilised at the Gelvandale swimming pool at about 05:00 on Thursday monring.
“At 05:00 this morning about 20 taxis mobilised at the Gelvandale swimming pool and thereafter dispersed to various points on Standford Road.”
Colonel Priscilla Naidu
She said the reason for the protest was the high fuel prices.
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WATCH:
The protest soon turned violent but public order policing, metro police, and local stations were quick to react and took control of the situation.
Naidu said stun grenades were fired to disperse the stubborn taxi drivers.
“The disruption was confined to the Northern areas only. The situation is back to normal and police will be monitoring.”
Earlier Traffic Director Warren Prins reportedly said motorists were being allowed to drive through Stanford Road.
He said both the on-ramp and off-ramp have also since been reopened.
PROTEST IS DUE TO THE HIGH PETROL PRICES
“We have our people present there and we are also present in Durban Road because taxis had also blocked the road there.
“We are dealing with Stanford Road. We have impounded two vehicles and we are busy towing the rest of the six vehicles,” Prins said.
Protesters also burnt tyres in parts of Korsten, which Prins said is being attended to by police.
Two people were arrested while eight taxis were impounded.
Naidu said the two face the following charges:
- The criminal matters amendment act
- Public violence
- National road traffic act – hindering and obstructing traffic
- Malicious damage to property and intimidation
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