South Africa: Police clash with protesters in Phumula Mqashi informal settlement near Lenasia South (Gauteng province) June 10

Event

Police clashed with protesters in the Phumula Mqashi informal settlement near Lenasia South (Gauteng province) on Wednesday, June 10. Demonstrators blocked roads and began to throw rocks at police, prompting security forces to fire rubber bullets to disperse protesters. Demonstrators also attempted to loot a store in the area before police intervened and protesters blocked part of the Golden Highway before security forces dispersed them. The unrest was linked to a decision to disconnect the electricity supply to the settlement, which authorities claim was illegal and causing the overloading of supplies in the area.

Further unrest and associated disruptions are possible in the near term.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all public demonstrations as a precaution, and anticipate localized transportation disruptions near all protests, and seek alternate routes.