The situation in Khayelitsha has intensified as rioters continue to clash with law enforcement authorities.
Already, three Golden Arrow busses have been torched and major roads connecting to the N2 highway have been barricaded.
Khayelitsha rioters torch heavy-duty truck
The latest footage to come from the riots is of a heavy duty truck that was burned to ashes on Baden Powell Drive, a key route that connects motorists to the N2, Cape Town International Airport and the R300 interchange.
“The N2 inbound is closed at Macassar Road. The N2 outbound is closed at Borcherds Quarry. The R300 link onto the N2 outbound towards Somerset West is closed in both directions. Baden-Powell Drive is closed between Japhta K Masemola and the N2,” Cape Town traffic spokesperson Kevin Jacobs told Times Live.
Why are Khayelitsha residents protesting?
There is still uncertainty around the motive behind the riots. From what we understand, residents of Khayelitsha and surrounding informal settlements have taken to the streets to voice out their disgruntlement with a lack of service delivery in the region.
At this time, the leadership behind the riots has not issued out a statement on the real reason behind the violent protests.
“[Police] and other law enforcement agencies are policing the protest that is underway in Khayelitsha, according to available information about three buses and a truck that were torched by the protesters in Makaza. Baden Powell road towards the N2 is closed,” Cape Town police noted in a statement.
Schools expected to accommodate pupils who missed today’s matric exam
All public transit systems have been shut down in the township. Workers have been encouraged to stay at home and schools are working around ways to accommodate learners who were unable to sit for Thursday’s matric examination.
More updates will be provided on this story when more information trickles in
