Residents of Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, have begun blockading entrances and exits of the township as part of the so-called total shutdown of the area on Wednesday.
The planned demonstration follows Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba’s promise to rebuild the illegal structures which were demolished last month.
More roads in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg are being blocked by protesters. Police are out in their numbers monitoring the area. #AlexShutdown #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/pbnz8tO3VL
— Sashin Naidoo (@Sashinn007) June 19, 2019
In April, residents went on the rampage in protest over the mushrooming of illegal dwellings in Alexandra.
Taxis are operating as normal in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg. This is despite messages making the rounds of taxi operators joining the shutdown. #AlexShutdown #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/IIzL208ny5
— Sashin Naidoo (@Sashinn007) June 19, 2019
Vehicles can be seen making u-turns to try and find alternative routes to exit the area.
Several roads have been blockaded with burning tyres and rocks in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg. This comes as residents protest over the rebuilding of illegal structures in the area. #AlexShutdown #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/fHYHnRi0hI
— Sashin Naidoo (@Sashinn007) June 19, 2019
On Tuesday night, a small group of protesters burnt tyres and blockaded roads around the Malboro Gautrain station, however, police quickly intervened.
Alexandra residents have begun mobilising this morning as part of their total shutdown. Several roads in the township are already blockaded with rocks and burning tyres. #AlexShutdown #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/OWxvt7IRAs
— Sashin Naidoo (@Sashinn007) June 19, 2019
Police officers are out in the numbers patrolling the area and are monitoring the situation.
Some taxis are operating, however, this could be thwarted with all the debris being placed on the road that would soon make it difficult for them to move through the township.
