More than 100 held in Protea protest

More than 100 protesters were arrested for public violence and malicious damage to property in the Protea area on Monday, Soweto police said.

   

They were arrested during a service delivery protest which started in the early hours of the morning outside Randfontein, said Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela.

   

Impala Road towards Krugersdorp and the N12 from Potchefstroom were being cleared and opened to traffic.

   

Earlier, Makhubela described the scene as chaotic as hundreds of community members from the Waterworks informal settlement clashed with the police.

   

"Police are firing rubber bullets at the protesters. We also have our nyalas [armoured vehicles] and choppers on the scene, but these protesters are attacking police," said Makhubela.

   

The protesters were throwing stones and rocks at police and motorists. A journalist was injured when he was hit by a stone.

   

Those arrested would appear soon in the Westonaria Magistrate's Court, said Makhubela.

   

-Sapa