Gauteng 'shutdown' starts with burning tyres, blocked roads

05 October 2018 - 07:52

By Timeslive

Police monitor the situation in Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg, where residents are protesting against gangsterism and crime in their community on October 5 2018.

Image: Alaister Russell Police monitor the situation in Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg, where residents are protesting against gangsterism and crime in their community on October 5 2018.

Burning tyres and rocks blocked roads in Ennerdale‚ Johannesburg‚ early on Friday as residents took to the streets in a planned shutdown in protest at being marginalised by government.

Ennerdale residents have blocked corner James Street and R557 with burning tyres as part of #Gautengshutdown. Police are in the area monitoring the situation. pic.twitter.com/RRZs1uNm7D
— Bafana Nzimande (@nzimandebafana) October 5, 2018

Image: Alaister Russell Residents protest against gangsterism and crime in Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg on October 5 2018.

The shutdown was organised to highlight the plight of coloured communities in suburbs affected by crime‚ gang violence and drugs. Protesters say government is not doing enough to ease their plight.

#JhbSouthShutdown Ennerdale community bringing in more tyres to burn. They have similar issues of drugs. Claims police have done nothing to help. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/C5FHXcYsd5
— Chriselda Lewis (@Chriseldalewis) October 5, 2018

VIDEO: Motorists trying to use the R557 in Ennerdale instructed to drive back. #GautengShutdown pic.twitter.com/jMCx0TJWz3
— Bafana Nzimande (@nzimandebafana) October 5, 2018

The protests follow the blocking of roads in Westbury after a mother was killed in the crossfire of a shootout. Police minister Bheki Cele responded to complaints by residents of the crime-ridden suburb by deploying a team of tactical police to deal with gang violence.

Protesters planned to march through the CBD in Johannesburg on Friday. Residents of Eldorado Park also took to the streets in protest on Friday.

#JhbSouthShutdown This board placed in the middle of James street in Ennerdale sums it up for Ennerdale community. ‘Before not white enough now not black enough’ #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/9irl591kiI
— Chriselda Lewis (@Chriseldalewis) October 5, 2018

#Ennerdale community tells police they want President Cyril Ramaphosa nobody else..... pic.twitter.com/SFzjpYPHIN
— silindelo masikane (@Slindelo_M) October 5, 2018

This is a developing story.