Videos of Joburg CBD riots go viral after police and protestors clash

The Joburg CBD was a bit of a mess today after police and street vendors clashed on Thursday.

According to eNCA, vendors accused the police of harrassing them, as the former conducted a raid for counterfeit goods. Things quickly turned chaotic though, with chief of Johannesburg‘s Metro police David Tembe blaming “foreign nationals” for the riots.

By midday on Thursday, the streets of the country’s economic engine ground to a halt.

⚠️ALERT⚠️
Riots in the Joburg CBD. Foreign Nationals attacking police officials. Jeppe Str is closed off at Troye, Delvers & Von Wielligh. @JoburgMPD deployed. Traffic is congested in the InnerCity due to vehicles being diverted. Avoid #JHBTraffic pic.twitter.com/0aaT5ViQCh

— David Tembe (@AsktheChiefJMPD) August 1, 2019

Multiple reports on Twitter, including videos and photographs, painted a messy picture.

Somehow, the scenes in the Johannesburg city centre took most of Thursday to become one of the social network’s most discussed events. Some grabbed their phones and recorded footage of the mayhem.

But why our police are always being outclassed by this hooligans when they conduct crime operations in joburg cbd.i guess its time to ask reinforcement from the army.We cannot allow such nonsense to happen in our country. pic.twitter.com/sesBHn2z63

— Morwa wa ga Lebea (@Thuram23) August 1, 2019

Reporting live pic.twitter.com/AMNqrWIJkl

— Dad. (@BasaneM) August 1, 2019

Economic refugees are trashing Jhb CBD maybe they have become too comfortable I think they have overstayed their welcome. pic.twitter.com/S7kbbxWi7R

— Koena. (@ThabaKoena) August 1, 2019

FOREIGN NATIONALS TRASHING JHB CBD

Confirmed by JMPD police.

When will this stop? Millions in damages that the taxpayers will have to pay for at the end of the day. pic.twitter.com/jW9jsQUDF0

— Boerelegioen (@Boerelegioen2) August 1, 2019

Streets in the Joburg CBD, including Jeppe, Troye, Delvers and Von Wielligh were affected, according to @TrafficSA.

JHB Central – RIOTING: Foreign Nationals attacking police:
AVOID Jeppe, Troye, Delvers and Von Wielligh routes pic.twitter.com/B3yiLI0q2h

— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) August 1, 2019

The city’s Rea Vaya rapid bus transport system was also affected.

According to News24, three police vehicles have been vandalised. TimesLIVE also noted that the Joburg CBD is currently a scene of calm. (At least until the sun rises tomorrow morning).

Police are monitoring the area.

Feature image: Johannesburg skyline, by Mark Hillary via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)