Seven protesters were charged with public violence on Monday after South African police fired stun grenades and rubber bullets to break up a demonstration on a main Cape Town highway, police said.
Demonstrators burnt tyres and stoned cars early on Monday to protest against the government's failure to provide basic amenities.
"We used minimum force, launching stun grenades and shooting rubber bullets after protesters stoned police and motorists," police spokesperson Captain Elliot Sinyangana said, adding the protesters were expected in court on Tuesday.
Thousands of South Africans from mostly black townships and shantytowns have taken to the streets in recent months to voice anger over the lack of electricity, water and sewage and other services in impoverished neighbourhoods.
In some cases, crowds have attacked and even killed officials of the ruling African National Congress, which has vowed to improve the quality of life for millions of blacks who continue to live on the margins of the country's booming economy.
Community activist Luthando Zulu told Reuters a large crowd of protesters had shut the busy road linking Cape Town with its airport.
"The crowd is uncontrollable. The police shot at us. About 20 people have been hospitalised," he said.
Police admitted they had fired at the crowd but said only one person had been injured.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape ANC condemned the demonstrations and urged members to protest within the law.
"The closing down of the N2 and the ripple effect this has on the economy is unacceptable," ANC provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha said in a statement.
Demonstrators burnt tyres and stoned cars early on Monday to protest against the government's failure to provide basic amenities.
"We used minimum force, launching stun grenades and shooting rubber bullets after protesters stoned police and motorists," police spokesperson Captain Elliot Sinyangana said, adding the protesters were expected in court on Tuesday.
Thousands of South Africans from mostly black townships and shantytowns have taken to the streets in recent months to voice anger over the lack of electricity, water and sewage and other services in impoverished neighbourhoods.
| 'The police shot at us' |
Community activist Luthando Zulu told Reuters a large crowd of protesters had shut the busy road linking Cape Town with its airport.
"The crowd is uncontrollable. The police shot at us. About 20 people have been hospitalised," he said.
Police admitted they had fired at the crowd but said only one person had been injured.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape ANC condemned the demonstrations and urged members to protest within the law.
| 'The ripple effect this has on the economy is unacceptable' |
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