Traffic dept in Grabouw set alight by protesters

Cape Town – A traffic department building in Grabouw has gone up in flames as people in the Western Cape town protest over housing.

Flames and black smoke could be seen rising from the building and people stood around.

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#Grabouw traffic department set alight @eNCA pic.twitter.com/1aPQyqq2dK

— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) May 10, 2016

The protests had begun on Monday night after residents said they had been hearing that evictions would take place.

Note N2 is closed through Grabouw currently. Good luck to firefighters dealing with the aftermath of the protest https://t.co/BO5mmxesQW

— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) May 10, 2016

A reporter on scene, eNCA’s Athi Mtongana tweeted that Ses’khone People’s Rights Movement activist, Andile Lili, was at the scene addressing residents.

#Seskhona 's Andile Lili has arrived to address residents in #Grabouw @eNCA pic.twitter.com/HwZlye6pnF

— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) May 10, 2016

Motorists were also warned that the N2 highway next to the town has been closed, with traffic diverted at Sir Lowry's Pass.

Road closure, N2 #Grabouw protest action #eNCA pic.twitter.com/leAzrYMWe8

— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) May 10, 2016

#CPTTraffic N2 both ways at Sir Lowry's Pass Rd is closed due to protest action. Please use alternative routes. pic.twitter.com/qw4ecF38yr

— Netstar Traffic (@netstartraffic) May 10, 2016

#GrabouwProtest Sir Lowry's Pass remains closed to traffic due to a service delivery protest in Grabouw. TH pic.twitter.com/v84RHdPYdj

— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 10, 2016

Protest Action In the Grabouw Area on N2 (Sir Lowry’s Pass) closed between Sir Lowry’s Pass Rd & Houw Hoek Pass – Alternative route via R44.

— City of CT Alerts (@CityofCTAlerts) May 10, 2016