BURNING ISSUE

Phillippi riots turn violent as bus gets set alight by crowd

- BY MARSHA DEAN

TENSIONS flared up on Tuesday as protesters in Philippi resorted to violence, reportedly setting a MyCiti bus ablaze during their protest.

The unrest stemmed from a demand for local community and business inclusion in the MyCiti transport project, currently underway on Govan Mbeki Road.

The two-day protests in the Ramaphosa Informal Settlement started on Monday and escalated into violence shortly after the construction crew left at around 5.30pm on Tuesday.

A bus came under attack and was set alight, with the driver taken to hospital for treatment.

Motorists were warned to use alternative routes as entrance into Govan Mbeki and Sheffield Road were closed off by burning tires in the road.

Ward councillor Bennet Payiya explained that frustration within the community has grown over a lack of transparency regarding employment opportunities associated with the MyCiti project.