The majority of City roads that were blockaded by protesters this morning, 06 June 2016, have been opened and are fully operational.
However, the M19 is currently being cleared.
The City received reports earlier today that a group of angry residents from different wards have blockaded roads with burning tyres. We also received reports of vehicles were stoned and set alight.
Reports received indicate that the protests are not service delivery related.
Metro Police members, Disaster Management, Operation Sukuma Sakhe/ Rapid Response and other law enforcement officials were immediately alerted and visited affected areas to collect information from protesting residents. City law enforcement authorities were also on site to reroute traffic and to ensure the safety of motorists and residents.
In the run up to the local government elections, eThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo said he acknowledges that people are free to exercise their constitutional rights by voicing their concerns but cautioned residents against injuring others and vandalising infrastructure.
“Residents should exercise their democratic rights to protest in a peaceful and legally permissible manner without damaging property, injuring law-abiding citizens or blockading roads, thus preventing others from going to school and work,” he said.
The situation is under control. Safety measures, such as CCTV cameras, are in place to monitor the movements of vehicles and to ensure that further traffic disruption is minimised.
