South Africa: Truck Set Ablaze, Looted During Service Delivery Protest

A truck transporting milk was torched and looted during a service delivery protest in Diepkloof, Soweto, on Monday morning.

According to Xolani Fihla, a spokesperson for the Johannesburg metro police department (JMPD), protest action took place on the N1 North and N12 East split at the Diepkloof interchange, next to the Diepkloof hostel.

“It is alleged the residents at the hostel are protesting over service delivery issues such as water and electricity,” he said.

He stated that no injuries had been reported and that the situation was calm because JMPD and SAPS officers had been deployed in the area.

“This protest and [resultant lane] closure caused heavy delays on the N1 north and N12 east as traffic was being diverted at the Golden Highway and N1 north,” he said.

He urged motorists to use caution, avoid the area, and instead take the Golden Highway or Ben Naude Drive in Diepkloof.