Violent protests have erupted around Pretoria, South Africa. Demonstrators burned buses and trucks and barricaded roads in protest at the ruling African National Congress’ (ANC) decision to choose senior party member Angela Thoko Didiza as mayoral candidate in August’s local elections. Residents set vehicles and tyres on fire and looted shops and businesses in the impoverished townships around Pretoria, such as Atteridgeville and Mamelodi.
Tshwane Metro police spokesman, Console Tleane, said a newly-built school was vandalised by gangs of rioters. There was an uneasy calm in the capital on Wednesday (22 June). With some roads impassable because of debris and burned-out vehicles from the violence with normal commercial life disrupted.
People walk past the remnants of a burnt-out bus used to barricade a road in Atteridgeville
Locals attempt to gain access to a shop before looting it during protests in Atteridgeville
Locals carry a Coca-Cola branded refrigerator that was looted from a nearby shop during protests in Atteridgeville
Residents of Mamelodi, north-east of Pretoria, search for goods in a looted shop
Jostina Mohlamonyne stands outside her shop after it was looted by residents of Mamelodi
Burnt furniture and fixtures are seen in a looted shop in Pretoria
Residents search for goods in a looted shop in Mamelodi, north-east of Pretoria
People try to extinguish a blaze in Atteridgeville, part of the city of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
A man tries to extinguish a fire in Pretoria’s Atteridgeville township
Residents throw stones and bricks at a burning structure in Atteridgeville
A woman shouts in Pretoria during a meeting with the African National Congress provincial leadership
A burnt truck blocks a road in Pretoria’s Shoshanguve township
The dispute flared after an ANC member was shot dead on Sunday (19 June) as party factions met to decide on a candidate as mayor of Pretoria’s Tshwane municipality. The ANC leadership named senior party member and former cabinet minister Thoko Didiza as its candidate, overulling regional branch members.
Record unemployment and a looming recession have exacerbated discontent with President Jacob Zuma’s leadership since the Constitutional Court ruled he had violated his oath of office by refusing to refund to the state some of the 240 million rand (about £11m, $16.25m) spent on refurbishing his private residence. Zuma survived impeachment in April.
Source: ibtimes.co.uk
