A resident in Pretoria West cannot leave her apartment complex due to intimidation by protesters‚ one of many unable to get to work on Friday.
“A bunch of people came to our complex‚ blocking the road at WF Nkomo. Stoning cars and sending everyone back in‚” engineer Matshelela @nomcnyoni described on Twitter.
“They got up at 5 am‚ got into taxis to go attack innocent residents a few kilometres away from Atteridgeville. #Xenophobia.”
Even her neighbours are turning on each other‚
“This is actually scary… I never thought. #Xenophobia. And people from our complex have gone down to join. Ladies in pyjamas.”
When police arrived to disperse the group‚ her relief was palpable but shortlived.
“Foq. They threatening us on the balcony from the road… they are coming back #Xenophobia #PretoriaWest…
“... They keep shouting at us.”
She warned a little later: “Stay off #ChurchStreet #WFNkomo. Crowds with weapons walking down that road. Throwing stones. Manhandling people at bus stop.”
Another Pretoria resident‚ Tommy T!!!@ChabaneTT‚ said early on Friday that protesters had blockaded entrances in and out of Atteridgeville.
“They blocked all the exits out #Atteridgeville this morning. Our kids can't go to school & we can't go to work.”
KhathuTha @TheLoneVenda reported‚ “Several taxis‚ bakkies and private cars have arrived here‚ apparently to transport people to Sunnyside. #Atteridgeville #Xenophobia” while Clement Menyuko@ClementMenyuko spotted “#Atteridgeville. Burning tyres and gunshots at Seeisi and Moroe Street”.
Mafatshe_SmarteConn@SmarteConn commented: “So we kill our economy and our children's education because of a march? Not fair to the people of Atteridgeville.”
Academic Tebogo waMathabathe reported a truck getting looted by protesters‚ sharing these photos:
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