Cape Town - A protest by about 500 people on the N2 near Cape Town International Airport turned violent on Friday morning, with protesters attacking police officers with petrol bombs.
The N2 highway remains closed between the Mew Way and Duinefontein off-ramps in the interests of public safety.
"The protest action became volatile at 09:15 when the demonstrators flung petrol bombs at police officers," said City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management Centre's Wilfred Solomons-Johannes.
Police and City law enforcement officials retaliated, with protesters retreating into nearby settlements.
An Eyewitness News vehicle was stoned by protesters in Gugulethu, but journalists were unharmed, he added.
A large police and metro police contingent has been deployed to the area. No arrests have been made at this stage.
The highway is due to reopen shortly. Motorists wanting to get to the airport from Somerset West can use the R300 link onto Stellenbosch arterial. If coming from the city, motorists can use the Modderdam offramp to access Borchards Quarry.
Friday, 10 August 2012
Darul Ihsan Media Desk