Maboneng precinct and Joburg CBD shut down as hostel dwellers march

Police fired stun grenades and rubber bullets on Sunday afternoon to restrain disruptive marchers in downtown Johannesburg, following an address to hostel dwellers by IFP president emeritus Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Brig Mathapelo Peters said a crowd of about 1,200 hostel residents had gathered at Murray Park and shortly into the address by Buthelezi, a splinter group disrupted the address and left before he had finished speaking.

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"Incidents of attacks on businesses have since been reported in parts of the CBD," said Peters. "Police fired stun grenades and rubber bullets to restrain the growing crowd who attempted to move through the CBD via the corner of Bree and Twist streets."

Many shops are currently closed, Peters confirmed.

Police remain in the area "to ensure minimum damages and criminality ... and on high alert to ensure the safety of church-goers, shoppers and commuters who were caught up in the mayhem".

The public was warned to stay away from the Jeppestown area, MTN taxi rank and shops in the CBD until calm has been restored. Said Peters: "This is to ensure that innocent people do not find themselves either injured or arrested unnecessarily."

At this stage, no injuries and no arrests have been reported.

Residents and shoppers in downtown Johannesburg took to social media, stating that their cars and apartment windows had been damaged by some of the marchers. 

Maboneng's Social Club announced the postponement of its evening event for safety reasons.

The POPArt Theatre also announced, "We are very sad and sorry to postpone tonight’s planned In Confession with Tats Nkonzo, What Is Next, due to marches that have come through Maboneng today."