WATCH: Protesters attack police at Joburg CBD

Video footage was posted on social media showing protesters attacking police vehicles in the Johannesburg CBD on Thursday.

https://twitter.com/BonedeCrazy/status/1156923560700579840

SAPS Gauteng spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele said the protest action erupted after people blocked the police from entering a building which they wanted to search.

Makhubele said police resorted to firing rubber bullets when the protest action broke out and three people were reported injured.

The protesters threw petrol bombs at the police, Makhubele added.

However, he said the situation has been bought under control but no arrests have been made, adding that the police would investigate a case of public violence.

Makhubele said the streets that were affected during the protest action were Jeppe, Troy, De Villiers and Von Wielligh.

Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said police had to fire rubber bullets to disperse a violent crowd of protesters when they attacked officers in the Johannesburg CBD on Thursday.

Minnaar added that four JMPD vehicles were damaged following the protest, adding that traffic was still heavy on Rahima Moosa Street in the CBD.

It was reported on social media that foreign nationals had attacked the police officers, which was confirmed by Minnaar.

⚠️UPDATE: T1 Ellis Park buses remain diverted and Fashion Square North station remain closed. ^TM https://t.co/97C6eJxjaI

— Rea Vaya Bus Transit (@ReaVayaBus) August 1, 2019

Minnaar said the reason for the protests in the city was unknown at this stage.

Earlier on Thursday, residents from a block of flats at City Deep, Johannesburg, took to Heidelberg Road near Vickers Road in a protest that affected traffic.

Traffic reporter Rob Byrne tweeted, however, that the road had been opened and that there was heavy traffic in the area.

JHB – Heidelberg Road (Update): #ProtestAction at City Deep – ROAD OPEN – HEAVY TRAFFIC in the area

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) August 1, 2019

Minnaar said protest action erupted in Lenasia on Wednesday afternoon on roads K43 and R558, with protesters allegedly torching a vehicle on Thursday morning.

The protest broke out after the JMPD “broke down” structures that had been illegally erected in the area, Minnaar said.

The breaking down of illegally erected structures in an ongoing operation by the JMPD began about four weeks ago.

Minnaar said motorists in the vicinity were advised to use the Golden Highway.

JHB – Lenasia South / Lawley / Ennerdale: #ProtestAction ROADS CLOSED – HEAVY TRAFFIC through the area

— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) August 1, 2019

(Compiled by Makhosandile Zulu)

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