Tshwane Burns

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SA Government Calls for Calm as Tshwane (Pretoria) Burns

The South African government has called for calm after a night of unrest and violence in Tshwane / Pretoria. At least 20 buses were torched and traffic jams this morning are stretching for over 2km according to witnesses. The Government said: “We condemn in the strongest terms the outbreak of violence and destruction of property which has […]

By SAPeople
21-06-16 11:23
in Eish!
Tshwane Burns

The South African government has called for calm after a night of unrest and violence in Tshwane / Pretoria. At least 20 buses were torched and traffic jams this morning are stretching for over 2km according to witnesses.

The Government said: “We condemn in the strongest terms the outbreak of violence and destruction of property which has occurred during #TshwaneUnrest.”

The violence is believed to have erupted after the ANC announced its mayoral candidate for Tshwane as Thoko Didiza, causing unhappiness amongst ANC members as Didiza was not the candidate nominated by branches and is not originally from Tshwane.

According to reports, locals say the protests appeared to be planned with hundreds of blockades of rubble, barbed wire and burning tyres erected on roads including Hatfield, the entrance to Atteridgeville, Church and Acridian Streets. Buses were set on fire in Mamelodi and locals were reported to be stoning vehicles in Hammanskraal.

Outgoing mayor Kgosientso Ramakgopa said: “I am distancing myself from anyone who is doing these acts in the name of supporting me.”

The SA Government said: “We appeal for calm in all areas around the City of Tshwane and the peaceful resolution of differences.”

In a media statement GCIS Acting DG Donald Liphoko said there can be no issue which cannot be resolved through democratic processes and dialogue and encouraged people to rather use the channels available to voice their concerns.

Liphoko says whilst all South Africans have the right to protest, government condemns any form of violence and intimidation during protests. According to unconfirmed reports, one person has apparently been killed.

The hashtag #TshwaneUnrest caused unrest itself on Twitter overnight as some said it should have been called #PretoriaUnrest, others like Tara Turkington said “ironic that we are using the Apartheid euphemism ‘unrest’… when #TshwaneViolence would be more apt.”

EFF National Spokesperson, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said: “It’s amazing how violence by ANC people is called #TshwaneUnrest to give an impression that this is a popular unrest when it’s just #ANCThugs.”

Liphoko said violence, damage to property and infringing on others’ rights and free movement will not be tolerated; and perpetrators will face the full might of the law.

All through the night the country’s nationwide broadcaster, the SABC, remained silent on the unrest in the city, as per their recent decision to not broadcast violent protests.

Watch Video: Fiery protests engulf Atteridgeville, #TshwaneUnrest

#TshwaneUnrest on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Sentletse/status/745130451140911105

https://twitter.com/Mdudemeister/status/745129864034844672

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