Chaos has erupted in Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg, as communities clash with police.
Public Order Police have been deployed to the township to quell a service delivery protest which started on Wednesday morning.
Residents are demanding the electrification of informal settlements in the area.
More police reinforcements have been brought in to Bekkersdal to try and calm the situation. Police have fired rubber bullets and teargas.#bekkersdalprotest #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/OcEyCaRH46
— Sashin Naidoo (@Sashinn007) April 10, 2019
Schooling and businesses have been disrupted.
Authorities have urged motorists to avoid the R28 Road connecting Krugersdorp and Vereeniging via Randfontein.
Police are firing rubber bullets and teargas in an attempt to disperse the protesters.
But the angry crowds are retaliating by pelting police with rocks and stones.
Bekkersdal residents have taken to the streets over the lack of electrification of informal settlements in the area. #bekkersdalprotest #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/w9KVMjE7Ij
— Sashin Naidoo (@Sashinn007) April 10, 2019
School children are among those running for cover.
Businesses including spaza shops have shut their doors in fear of their safety.
All roads leading in and out of Bekkersdal are blockaded with rocks and burning tyres.
Police are gearing up as protests intensify in Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg. The community took the streets from the early hours of this morning to protest against the lack of service delivery in the area. #bekkersdalprotest #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/pMqtM8AjiA
— Sashin Naidoo (@Sashinn007) April 10, 2019
