Chaos engulfed South Africa’s industrial hub Johannesburg on Monday as residents blocked roads in the city’s Soweto township in a protest to demand better service delivery.
The sprawling township was cut off from the rest of Johannesburg after protesters barricaded roads with burning tyres, stones and other debris.
No vehicles were allowed into and out of the area, with residents saying they would not end the protest until their grievances are heard.
They cited constant power and water cuts as well as the growing problem of informal settlements as some of their grievances.
The residents blame informal settlement dwellers for the rise in crime in the area.
The Johannesburg City Council announced on Monday that it had deployed its police officers to Soweto after the protesters brought the council-run ReaVaya bus services to a halt.
The City of Johannesburg was forced to suspend the bus services after protesters barred ReaVaya drivers from leaving the depot. Others, who were already en route to collect passengers, were forced to return to the depot.
JN/APA