Last week it emerged that we are the world champions when it comes to protests (HERE), and even though the SABC might be turning a blind eye things in Tshwane have spiralled completely out of control.
The frustration stems from the ANC naming Thoko Didiza as their mayoral candidate for Tshwane, with supporters preferring current executive mayor Kgosientso Sputla Ramokgopa.
Some text from TimesLive before we start looking at videos and pictures:
Police officers‚ including cops on leave‚ have been drafted in from other areas to quell the violence that has seen vehicles being torched‚ business ransacked and roads blocked in Atteridgeville‚ Hammanskraal‚ Mamelodi and Garankuwa.
Journalists were threatened on Tuesday morning‚ with a Sowetan reporter in Atteridgeville being warned by an agitated protester who was covering his face with a jacket and carrying a brick: “Take my picture‚ you will be the next thing on flames”…
…an ANC regional executive committee source‚ who asked not to be named‚ [said] “This new mayor is being imposed on us. We didn’t ask for her and we wont accept her. We will burn the whole of Pretoria if needs be.”
He added that there was grave concern over the violence: “People were warning that it was coming but no one has listened and now you see this. If it’s not dealt with quickly it’s going to get a lot worse.”
Monday night saw at least 20 buses torched, as well as reports that a police vehicle was set alight.
Some pics from today courtesy of EWN:
A side dose of lives in danger and shop looting, with just a touch of xenophobia mixed in for good measure:
@eNCA #TshwaneUnrest #Atteridgeville pic.twitter.com/6oAXtJ2AKx
— smothered in vanilla (@Nthabeee_Lenake) June 21, 2016
VIDEO: this Somali shopowner says his brother is trapped inside #Attridgeville#TshwaneUnrest#encapic.twitter.com/VOXBdUw2e6
— Lenyaro Sello (@lenyarosello) June 21, 2016
With the ANC telling supporters they must throw their support behind Thoko Didiza, and supporters refusing to back down from their demands, this one could yet play out for some time to come.
