Teen killed during Slovo Park protests
Gauteng police are investigating the circumstances leading up to the death of a 16-year-old during a community protest at Slovo Park informal settlement, south of Johannesburg.
On Monday, residents blocked the N12 highway to protest against a lack of water and sanitation.
The protests continued into Tuesday, with residents barricading the roads and burning tyres.
Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo says the cause of the teenage boy’s death cannot be confirmed at this stage.
"The case will be transferred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for further investigation," says Masondo.
Masondo says police reacted when the community began throwing stones while waiting to be addressed by the ward councilor and other government officials.
"Police had to fire rubber bullets and stun grenades in order to disperse the violent protesters. The officials were safely escorted out of the area," says Masondo.
He says two people have been arrested for public violence since the protest erupted on Monday.
"Members from Public Order Policing are still deployed in the area to monitor the situation.”
Ipid spokesperson Robbie Raburabu says they have already begun their investigations.
"At this stage, as Ipid we are aware of the death, but we are not sure as yet where the body is, and the verification process as to what killed the person is underway.”
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