Tensions are escalating in Mangaung, the Free State as protests have taken a turn for the worst, and a teenager has been shot.
Police have been active on the scene and a 57-year old security guard has since been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Several activists and a civil society group called for a general strike and a total shutdown of the central business district on Monday.
The group barricaded main roads leading into the central business district but allowed essential workers to travel freely.
Also read: ‘I have never felt this violated.” – Club Dj Lamiez Holworthy
Significant business and transportation disruptions are likely to continue in Mangaung, particularly in Bloemfontein.
According to police officials, seven people have been arrested, including the security guard who is accused of shooting the teenager.
Unconfirmed reports say the guard who is a foreign national, fired the shot as a warning to disperse the angry crowd, but he, unfortunately, hit the 15-year old boy.
BREAKING: A teenage boy has been shot and killed allegedly by a foreign national during the ongoing violent protest in Bloemfontein. More details to follow.#sabcnews#sabcfs pic.twitter.com/9vVvEUvTvt
— Aphumelele Mdlalane (@AphumeleleMdla2) May 17, 2021
Police are still at the scene where a 15-year-old teenager was shot dead allegedly by a foreign national. Residents say the boy was not part of the protest. Some foreign national shops have been looted while others pelted with stones. #MangaungShutdown#sabcnews#sabcfs pic.twitter.com/q9UOT1rskv
— Aphumelele Mdlalane (@AphumeleleMdla2) May 17, 2021
The guard is expected to appear at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s court on a charge of murder.
Disclaimer: Several Twitter users have shared their accounts of the protests with a few falling victim to physical assault in the process. The images below might not be for sensitive readers.
I have been kicked for taking videos #MangaungshutDown pic.twitter.com/00LSYIjXZu
— Msotho (@Ntanga18013580) May 17, 2021
#MangaungshutDown
Problem is we fighting ko kasi, khale go busy ke business as usual. They are not even bothered pic.twitter.com/uqk7kwvv7j— Mdavino (@Mosotho_Lepara) May 17, 2021



