Two people were killed and one seriously injured Monday morning during a violent protest in Diepkloof, Soweto, after being struck by a truck amid chaos that included the looting of tinned fish in a protest over service delivery.

According to reports, residents from the Diepkloof hostel looted tins of fish from a truck attempting to drive through the area. 

Protesters blocked roads with burning tires and stones, and set one truck on fire while looting another.

The protest was reportedly sparked by ongoing frustrations over poor service delivery. 

The angry protesters complain about lack of access to clean water, inadequate sanitation and ablution facilities, and deteriorating infrastructure.

Earlier, Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla urged motorists to avoid the Diepkloof Interchange due to severe traffic disruptions caused by road closures.

“Severe traffic delays are being experienced and are expected to worsen in the vicinity of the Diepkloof Interchange and surrounding areas due to continued road closures,” Fihla said.

Both the N12 eastbound and westbound, as well as the N1 northbound and southbound at the split with the N12, were temporarily closed. 

Fihla warned of dangerous driving conditions, including vehicles making U-turns and driving against traffic flow.

However, Fihla has now confirmed that roads had been reopened and protesters dispersed, but delays continued on the N12 westbound due to the earlier incidents. 

He said law enforcement remained on scene to manage the situation and conduct investigations.

Meanwhile, speaking with the media in the area, Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the two deaths.

“Residents from the Diepkloof hostel had closed the Diepkloof Interchange. While they were there, one person was knocked down by a vehicle and later declared dead on arrival at the hospital,” Masondo said.

In a second incident, Masondo said a truck driver trying to avoid the protest drove into the hostel area, where demonstrators began throwing stones at him. 

While attempting to escape, the driver struck two people.

“A male and a female were run over. The man died at the scene, and the woman was seriously injured and transported to the hospital,” Masondo said.

He said no arrests have been made, but police have opened a case of public violence and are continuing their investigation.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

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