Benoni protesters turn violent

The fire station in Benoni was damaged this morning while shop windows were broken as community protesters turned violent.

Ekurhuleni emergency services said in a statement the fire brigade operations were halted by the protest action at about 8.15am after its bay doors and office windows were damaged by protesters using stones and various other objects.

While the extent of the damage was not yet confirmed‚ the fire brigade's services were suspended.

The protesters‚ from Actonville‚ were en route to the metro's customer care centre in the Benoni CBD‚ according to the EMS statement.

Photos of looted shops were also circulated on social media.

The protest began in the early hours of the morning‚ with tyres being burnt on main roads.