Sasolburg protester ‘killed by cops’

The violent protest in Sasolburg. Picture: Lucky Maibi

Free State police commissioner Lieutenant General Kehla Sithole says cops have shot dead a protester in Zamdela, Sasolburg.

Sithole said the man was shot and later died in hospital after he and a group of protesters stormed the township’s main police station.

“The front windows of the police station were broken,” said Sithole, likening the incident to a siege.

Sithole said no instructions were issued for police to use live ammunition but that cops had a duty to protect the police station.

The death of the man, whose identity is known to City Press, has been referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which probes deaths as a result of police action, according to Sithole.

Another resident was killed after a mob tried to attack a man who was not part of the protests.

The man fired into the crowd in self-defence and killed one protester, according to Sithole.

Police are investigating the murder.

Sithole also revealed that nine Zamdela residents were injured today.

Police have arrested 238 residents since the protests over the proposed merger of the Metsimaholo and Ngwathe local municipalities started on Sunday.

» This article was updated after first published.