Cape Town asks ‘where’s the police?’ Police respond with tear gas, rubber bullets

The police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets at a protest gathering in a Cape Town township, SABC reports.

According to the City of Cape Town, who confirmed the use of tear gas, the gatherings were illegal since those protesting did not get clearance.

“The fact is the organisers did not apply in terms of the national legislation and this means that the road closures this morn are unlawful,” said Cape Town’s mayoral committee member for safety JP Smith.

He blamed the situation on the national government.

READ MORE: ‘Mass shutdown’ planned on the Cape Flats in October

Smith said: “The protesters organised by Cosatu, who is part of national government and therefore part of keeping the regulation of the national gatherings act, are being tear-gassed and shot at one location by Saps which is controlled by national government due to protest about poor state of policing which is competency of national government. So it’s really a very difficult situation for the city.”

Residents from a number of Cape Town townships and areas including Manenberg, Bonteheuwel, Hanover Park, Langa, Gugulethu, and Kensington are attempting to shut the city down to protest against crime, unemployment, gangsterism, and poverty.

Earlier, News24 reported that Hanover Park residents had shut Govan Mbeki road down, holding placards with slogans such as “Where is the police when kids” and “No More Blood!!”

According to reports, protests led to Ottery Road being blocked as well as the intersection of Voortrekker Road and 18th Avenue in Kensington.

There were also peaceful protests at the intersection of Jakes Gerwel Drive and Bluegum Ave in Bonteheuwel according to Smith.

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