Stones, rubber bullets exchanged in Tembisa

2011-08-19 12:18

Johannesburg - Rubber bullets were fired at protesters in Tembisa, near Kempton Park, on Friday, Ekurhuleni metro police said.

"They were stoning [metro] police vehicles. We asked them nicely to stop, but they didn't so we had no further option but to shoot them with rubber bullets," said Inspector Mveli Nhlapo.

Earlier, he said protesters were being allowed to proceed to the Mehlareng Stadium even though their march was illegal.

"The protesters have said they going to the stadium to speak to their leaders and then they will disperse. So we are giving them the go-ahead."

Residents were apparently protesting about the high cost of electricity.

They had burnt tyres and blocked roads in the area and were intimidating people into staying away from work, said Nhlapo.

Four schools had been closed as a result of the protest. "Children were told not to go school and the residents did not want the schools opened," he said.

- SAPA