One of the South Africa’s oldest townships, Alexandra near the main city of Johannesburg, was shut down completely following protests Wednesday morning.
It a statement on social media, residents said they had shut down the township as part of a protest demanding services from the DA-led municipality.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department reportedly deployed a large contingent of officers to the area.
Several roads leading into and inside Alexandra have been blockaded with rubble, burning tyres and rocks, and eyewitnesses reported delays on the main roads outside the area.
According to local news sources, two suspected “ring leaders” were arrested over the protests.
In response to the protests, the hashtag #AlexTotalShutdown has been trending in South Africa.
https://twitter.com/Slindelo_M/status/1113312506003501056
The ANC representatives in Alexandra said it supported the mass protests against local government, led by DA Mayor Herman Mashaba.
