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.
BENONI PROTEST DISRUPTS ACTONVILLE & BENONI CBD : PROTESTORS TURN VIOLENT & DAMAGE EVERYTHING IN PATH!!! pic.twitter.com/bwOYPiUsew
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) June 26, 2017
The protest began in the early hours of the morning‚ with tyres being burnt on main roads.
26 June, 2017 (04h00) #ProtestAction in #Benoni at Range View Road and Snake Road (between N12 and N17) burning tires on the road.
— WillShir Risk (@WillShirRisk) June 26, 2017