WATCH: E-hailing protest turns violent on presiden't doorstep

Drivers at several e-hailing services, including Uber, Uber Eats, and Bolt embarked on a three-day national shutdown in a call for better working conditions, fast-tracked regulation and a drop on the commission claimed by the tech giants. 

The first memorandum of demands was handed over to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) before the group headed to the Office of the Presidency at the Union Buildings. 

Several kilometres from the lawns, drivers stopped and searched cars they believed were ferrying Uber and Bolt clients.

The protest was without incident until the search-and-go by drivers turned south.  

The clash between the officer and a group of drivers erupted as other protesters waited on the lawns to hand over the second memorandum to the highest office in the land. 

Two officers travelling in an unmarked vehicle were interrogated on Government Avenue.

Unbeknownst to the crowd that the pair were law enforcement, they allegedly pounced on the officer in the driver’s seat.

The officer allegedly drew his service pistol and a shot was fired.

He denied firing the shot.

“I wanted to take out my firearm as well just to protect myself but they took it out,” he told media gathered at the scene. 

“I was assaulted very badly,” he added. 

An eyewitness denied parts of the officer’s version of events.

He claimed the officer was first to antagonise them.

Two suspects were taken into police custody.