Johannesburg – Most main routes leading to Soweto remain cut-off on Monday morning, with residents barricading roads with burning tyres and debris.
Major routes have been blocked since early on Monday morning, with traffic disrupted and Rea Vaya bus commuters left stranded.
This includes routes in Pimville, Jabulani, Diepkloof and Moletsane.
⚠️Rea Vaya bus service has been temporarily canceled due to Soweto Shutdown, will update as soon as the service is back to operation, we apologise for the inconvenience #JHBTraffic @CityofJoburgZA.^BM pic.twitter.com/xY8ra2mr7o
— Rea Vaya Bus Transit (@ReaVayaBus) June 20, 2022
One of the organisers of the protest action said that this was part of a build-up to an even bigger shutdown.
Service delivery and electricity woes in parts of Soweto have been brough into sharp focus by residents who are demanding change.
Residents want Joburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse to address their grievances, including calls to remove informal settlements.
The protest on Monday has bee described as a soft build-up to what’s to come on Tuesday. While denying that the protest is part of Operation Dudula, one of the organisers, who goes by the Nobhala, said that it was a collective initiative by the community.
“What we actually want is for all the 14 police stations here in Soweto to all have one report that will be sent to provincial and in that way we will be able to get attention that we want tomorrow and also to get Mpho Phalatse to receive the petition,” said Nobhala.
Law enforcement have called on motorists to approach the affected areas with caution.
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