VIDEO: Protester shot in the head with rubber bullet in Maboneng

UPDATE: 10:30am – According to our journalist at the scene, one of the protesters are believed to have been shot in the head by a rubber bullet by the police.

A community member is addressing the crowd on a microphone, pleading with them to step back and as well as with the police, asking them not to shoot at the protesters.

Leaders from the protest are talking with the commanding officer and a ward councillor at the scene while the protesters are waiting to find out what the outcome is.

Watch a video from the scene below:

UPDATE: A group of protesters are currently outside the hostel at Wolhuter Street in Maboneng. They are moving through to Jules street and are believed to be moving in the direction of the Jeppe park, however, police at the scene are stopping them from moving in that direction.

Shots have been fired as the protesters came close to the police officers.

According to initial reports, the protest is said to have occurred after residents were evicted from a property marked for development in Maboneng precinct.

Wayne Minnaar, spokesperson for Metro Police, said the protest started in Jeppe and Marshal streets at 6am. He said the protest was the result of alleged unfair allocation of housing. “Several streets have also been blocked off,” he said.

Initially, protesters moved on to the Jeppe Hostel, where residents joined in the protest. It is now believed the protest has moved to Maboneng.

Below are tweets about the protest: