Squatters whose houses were reportedly demolished by eThekwini municipal staff set fire to a bus in Durban at around 10.30am on Saturday‚ police said.
According to an eThekwini Metro Police officer‚ protesters from the Kennedy Road informal settlement were “unhappy about breaking down of shacks yesterday“.
The incident took place on the M19‚ just before the newly-opened N2 intersection. The road borders the informal settlement.
According to Rescue Care advanced life support paramedic Ceron Lennox‚ who was on the scene‚ 13 people were injured.
“The bus was well alight when my crew arrived. We were first on scene with the SAPS. The patients were transported to various hospitals. Some had minor burns‚ some smoke inhalation [and] some had scratches and bruises from jumping out of the bus to get away‚” said Lennox.
SAPS spokesman Major Thulani Zwane said: “It started after people from Kennedy Road were complaining that their shacks were demolished. They set fire to a municipal bus‚ apparently two people were injured in the fire‚ but I am awaiting confirmation of that.”
Zwane said a municipal vehicle was set alight in the same area on Friday‚ in protest linked to shack demolitions.
“It looks like they are targeting municipal vehicles.”
TMG Digital/Durban Newsroom
Bus set alight in Durban
Squatters whose houses were reportedly demolished by eThekwini municipal staff set fire to a bus in Durban at around 10.30am on Saturday‚ police said.
According to an eThekwini Metro Police officer‚ protesters from the Kennedy Road informal settlement were “unhappy about breaking down of shacks yesterday“.
The incident took place on the M19‚ just before the newly-opened N2 intersection. The road borders the informal settlement.
According to Rescue Care advanced life support paramedic Ceron Lennox‚ who was on the scene‚ 13 people were injured.
“The bus was well alight when my crew arrived. We were first on scene with the SAPS. The patients were transported to various hospitals. Some had minor burns‚ some smoke inhalation [and] some had scratches and bruises from jumping out of the bus to get away‚” said Lennox.
SAPS spokesman Major Thulani Zwane said: “It started after people from Kennedy Road were complaining that their shacks were demolished. They set fire to a municipal bus‚ apparently two people were injured in the fire‚ but I am awaiting confirmation of that.”
Zwane said a municipal vehicle was set alight in the same area on Friday‚ in protest linked to shack demolitions.
“It looks like they are targeting municipal vehicles.”
TMG Digital/Durban Newsroom
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos