This is a summary of the protests that occurred over the period of: 17 – 23 June 2020
Summary of the Week:
Fifty-eight protests were recorded.
Table 1: Civil Unrest Summary
Protest 1 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 17th of June 2020, a group of residents from Zola North, Johannesburg, Gauteng staged a protest over the lack of electricity. Residents stated that they had been without electricity since Friday, 12th of June 20202. The protest took place outside the Eskom offices, in Zola Gauteng.
Source: Twitter
Protest 2 – Black Lives Matter
On the 17th of June 2020, a handful of protestors gathered in Cape Town, Western Cape, demanding that statues of colonial and apartheid leaders be taken down.
Source: Twitter
Protest 3 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 17th of June 2020, residents of Boipatong, Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, barricaded roads as they continued to protest against the lack of electricity in the area. The protest resulted in the Gauteng EMS withholding their services in the area in order to protect their personnel and vehicles.
Source: Twitter
Protest 4 – Motive unknown
On the 17th of June 2020, a protest was recorded at Govan Mbeki and Stock road, Philippi, Western Cape. The motive of the protest is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 5 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 17th of June 2020, residents of Diepkloof, Gauteng, staged a protest on Nasrec road against the lack of electricity and constant electricity blackouts over the last 2 weeks. The protest included the hijacking of a van containing electrical appliances.
Source: Twitter
Protest 6 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 17th of June 2020, residents of Eldorado Park, Gauteng, staged a protest against power outage in the area and Boundary road and Turf Avenue were barricaded with rocks and burning tyres.
Source: Twitter
Protest 7 – COVID-19
On the 17th of June 2020, nurses at Boitumelo Hospital, Kroonstad, Free State protested after a number of workers tested positive for COVID-19.
Source: Twitter
Protest 8 – Motive unknown
On the 17th of June 2020 a protest action was reported on the N2 Southbound after E.B Cloete, KwaZulu Natal. The motive is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 9 – Motive Unknown
On the 17th of June 2020 a protest action was reported on the R61 Mthatha towards Libode, near Misty Mountain, Eastern Cape. The motive is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 10 – COVID-19
On the 17th of June 2020, the bus drivers of GO George, Western Cape, went on strike regarding health safety concerns after 3 bus drivers tested positive for COVID-19. The strike lasted for two days as Go George and George Link Management tried to reach a resolution.
Protest 11 – COVID-19
On the 17th of June 2020 parents of Imperial Primary School, Mitchells Plain, Western Cape, staged a protest demanding better protection for staff and students, after a school employee died of COVID-19.
Source: Daily Voice
Protest 12 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 18th of June 2020 residents across five areas in the City of Johannesburg, staged a protest at Main Road, Johannesburg, Gauteng against power cuts. The areas included Watsonia; Noord; Modder; Hazeldale and Bergroos. The areas had been without electricity for 4 days and power was only restored on the 19th of June 2020.
Source: Twitter
Protest 13 – Motive unknown
On the 18th of June 2020 a protest was reported in the late evening on the N3, Vosloorus, Gauteng. The protest involved the burning of tyres and lasted till the 19th of June 2020. The reason for the protest is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 14 – Motive unknown
On the 18th of June 2020 a protest was reported at R33 Greytown Road, KwaZulu Natal. The reason for the protest is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 15 – Motive Unknown
On the 18th of June 2020 a protest was reported at the Delareyville /Ottosdal road off ramp. Youngsters throwing stones in the road were also reported, however the motive of the protest is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 16 – Motive unknown
On the 18th of June 2020, protest action was reported at Golden Highway and Provincial Road, Johannesburg, Gauteng. The road was blocked off with burning tyres and rocks. While no official news source has confirmed the motive, a number of online commentators stated that they believed this was related to electricity, the area had been without power since Tuesday, 16 June 2020.
Protest 17 – Motive unknown
On the 18th of June 2020 a protest action was reported between Mathews Phosa interchange and Balmoral interchange, eMalahleni, Mpumalanga.
Source: Twitter
Protest 18 – Taxi driver protest
On the 18th of June 2020, taxi commuters in Malelane were left stranded as taxi drivers protested against the corruption within the sector.
Source: Twitter
Protest 19 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 18th of June 2020 residents of Mamelodi, Gauteng, blocked the main access roads in the township with stones and burning tyres as residents protested against the lack of electricity, with some areas experiencing power outages for over 6 days.
Protest 20 – Motive unknown
On the 18th of June 2020 a protest action was reported on the Golden Highway, Orange Farm, Gauteng. The motive for the protest is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 21 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 18th of June 2020 residents of Tsakane Ext 1, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng protested over electricity outages. The protest included barricading roads with rocks and burning objects.
Source: Twitter
Protest 22 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 18th of June 2020 community members of Hlahatsi section, Katlehong, Gauteng protested over electricity outages. The protest included barricading roads with rocks and burning debris.
Source: Twitter
Protest 23 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 18th of June 2020 community members of Kanana Ext 4, Tembisa, Gauteng protested over electricity outages. SANDF and police were deployed to the protest.
Source: Twitter
Protest 24 – Prisoners’ Issues
On the 18th of June 2020, a group of 34 prisoners of Butterworth Correctional Facility, Eastern Cape, barricaded themselves inside a cell, armed with both sharp and blunt weapons, demanding to be taken to court for their court hearings. However, the court they were demanding to be taken to had been shut down due to a COVID-19 related incident.
Source: The South African
Protest 25 – Gender-based violence
On the 18th of June 2020 a group of 70 protesters staged a protest against a senior official at Buffalo City College over sexual abuse allegiations, demanding the senior official be fired.
Source: Dispatch Live
Protest 26 – Racism
On the 18th of June 2020 some Pretoria High School for Girls pupils, Gauteng, protested against racism at the school. The students forwarded a document stating their preliminary demands to the Gauteng Department of Education, claiming that the grievances against racism brought forward in 2016 haven’t been addressed.
Protest 27 – Service delivery – Electricity
From the 18th till the 19th of June 2020, community members across various cities in Mpumalanga staged protests against electricity cuts. the cities included Standerton, Embalenhle and Bethal. The protests included barricading roads with rocks, burning tyres and torching vehicles. Residents from eMbalenhle held a senior employee of Govan Mbeki Municipality ransom and forced him to restore power immediately, resulting in him being electrocuted and hospitalised.
Source: Ridgetimes.co.za and Twitter
Protest 28 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 19th of June 2020 protest action was reported on Chris Hani road and Modjadja road in Pimville, Soweto. Community members were protesting due to being without power for 4 days.
Source: Twitter
Protest 29 – Vigilante justice
On the 19th of June 2020 residents of Botshabelo, Free State, looted and burned several foreign owned spaza shops, after two foreign shop owners allegedly killed a man who was trying to rob them.
Source: Daily sun
Protest 30 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 19th of June 2020 residents of Alexandra Township, Gauteng, staged a protest due to having no power for several days. Residents blocked the road with burning tyres.
Source: Twitter
Protest 31 – COVID-19
On the 19th of June 2020, in the Western Cape, False Bay Hospital staff affiliated to nursing union DENOSA, protested against the shortage of PPE and permanent staff members.
Source: Twitter
Protest 32 – Motive unknown
On the 19th of June 200 Pick n Pay employees protested outside the shop in Trade Route Mall, Gauteng. The protest motive is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 33 – Motive unknown
On the 19th of June 200 Pick n Pay employees protested outside the shop on William Nicol Drive, Gauteng. The protest motive is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 34 – Service delivery – Water and Electricity
On the 19th of June 2020, Glenridge residents, Gauteng, protested against the lack of service delivery, as residents claim they have been without water or electricity for almost one week. The protest included the blocking of R559 with burning tyres.
Source: Twitter
Protest 35 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 19th of June 2020, Tsakane residents, Gauteng, blocked several roads after the area had been without power for close to two weeks. Eskom officials blame the power outages on illegal bridging, which result in overburdened distribution boxes.
Source: GroundUp.org.za
Protest 36 – School Closure
On the 19th of June 2020, about 50 teachers, parents and students staged a peaceful protest at Bishop Bavin School as the school closed its doors, due to apparent financial difficulties. The Gauteng-based school apparently closed on 10 June 2020.
Source: enca.com
Protest 37 – Housing
On the 19th of June 2020 residents of Hangberg, Western Cape, clashed with police over the demolition of illegal structures.
Source: CapeTalk
Protest 38 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 19th of June 2020, a community protest was reported in KwaGuQa, Witbank, Mpumalanga. Community members closed the N4 and all local roads. They protested as they had not had electricity for 5 days.
Source: Twitter
Protest 39 – COVID-19
On the 19th of June 2020, about a dozen of the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers Union members, who work at Khayelitsha Day Hospital, picketed outside the hospital against the inconsistencies regarding training, the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and standard operating procedures – all related to the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: GroundUp.org.za
Protest 40 – Motive unknown
On the 20th of June 2020 a protest action was reported at Nederveen Highway and corner Blauwbok Avenue, Germiston. The protest included barricading the road with burning tyres. The protest motive is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 41 – Housing
Over the 20th and 21st of June 2020, a truck and 2 MyCiti buses were torched in Dunoon, Western Cape, while tyres were set alight and used to close off roads. This protest has been ongoing over the past few weeks and is related to the destruction of shacks that were erected illegally in Dunoon.
Source: Twitter
Protest 42 – Vigilante justice
On the 21st of June 2020 residents of Bohlokong, Free State, closed De Villiers street with burning tyres after they caught a 27 year old murder suspect and assaulted him. The suspect allegedly stabbed his friend to death after an argument between them.
Source: saps.gov.za
Protest 43 – Service delivery – Electricity
On the 22nd of June 2020, several roads were barricaded with rocks, heavy objects and burning tyres in QwaQwa in the eastern Free State. Residents were protesting over water shortages and frequent water outages. The Water and Sanitation Department had previously promised R220m and 5000 water tanks to alleviate the water crisis in the area.
Source: Ofm
Protest 44 – Motive unknown
On the 22nd of June 2020 a protest action was reported in the City of Ekurhuleni. The protest motive is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 45 – Motive unknown
On the 22nd of June 2020 protest action was reported at K43 & Provincial in Lenasia South, Gauteng. The roadway was blocked off with rocks & burning tyres. The motive for the protest is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 46 – Motive unknown
On the 22nd of June 2020, the N7 north at Plattekloof, Western Cape, was closed due to protest action before Potsdam. The motive for the protest is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 47 – Motive unknown
On the 22nd of June 2020, protest action was reported in Finetown, South of Johannesburg, Gauteng. The motive for the protest is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 48 – COVID-19 – Taxi strike
On the 22nd of June 2020 commuters across Gauteng were left stranded as taxi drivers affiliated with SANTACO protested against the government’s relief grant of over R1 billion for the industry. SANTACO stated that the relief grant was insufficient compensation for their lost revenue resulting from the COVID-19 regulations, which limits passenger capacity to 70%.
Source: News24
Protest 49 – Motive unknown
On the 22nd of June 2020 violent protest was reported on R42 between Delmas and Bronkhorspruit, Mpumalanga. The motive for the protest is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 50 – COVID-19 – Taxi strike
On the 22nd of June 2020 a protest action was reported in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The protest motive is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 51 – COVID-19 – Taxi strike
On the 22nd of June 2020 the entrance to Erasmia on the R55/ M26, Gauteng, was blocked due to taxi protest.
Source: Twitter
Protest 52 – COVID-19 – Taxi strike
On the 22nd of June 2020 the R55 at Olievenhoutbosch, Gauteng, was blocked due to taxi protest.
Source: Twitter
Protest 53 – Motive unknown
On the 22nd of June 2020 a protest action was reported on the R24, Rusternberg. The protest motive is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 54 – Housing
On the 23rd of June 2020, Protest action was reported at the entrance to Hangberg, Western Cape. This protest was a continuation of the protest on 19 June, and is related to the destruction of illegal housing structures by the City of Cape Town.
Protest 55 – COVID-19
On the 23rd of June 2020, a group of Knysna Municipality employees and representatives from the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) took to the streets to protest for, among other issues, a risk allowance, increased salaries and better COVID-19 testing and screening.
Source: Knysna-Plett Herald
Protest 56 – Motive unknown
On the 23rd of June 2020, protest action was reported in Elandsfontein, Klopper Park, Gauteng. The protest included the throwing of rocks at passing vehicles and burning of tyres. The reason for the protest is unknown.
Source: Twitter,
Protest 57 – Motive unknown
On the 23rd of June 2020, a violent protest was reported on R42 between Delmas and Bronkhorspruit, Mpumalanga. The protest seems to be ongoing, however the motive is unknown.
Source: Twitter
Protest 58 – Motive unknown
On the 23rd of June 2020, protest action was reported on the N4 eastbound between Witbank and Balmoral, Mpumalanga. The motive is unknown.
Source: Twitter
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