Johannesburg - DA spokesman Mmusi Maimane was due to address residents of Durban Deep, Roodepoort, on Thursday afternoon after a police officer allegedly shot dead a man during a protest over housing.
“We are waiting for the family members of the man who was shot and killed by police this morning to come back from the police station, so that we can talk with them,” Maimane said.
The Democratic Alliance wanted to talk with residents about their housing issues.
Earlier, police spokeswoman Lt-Col Katlego Mogale said the man was shot after protesting residents barricaded roads with stones and burning tyres.
“During the protest, a police vehicle came through... and they 1/8protesters 3/8 came rushing towards the vehicle.
“The member, a warrant officer, allegedly fired warning shots. One of the protesters was injured and was certified dead at the hospital.”
The protest started around 6am on Main Reef road. Mogale said protesters were burning tree trunks and throwing stones at vehicles. A section of the road was closed, but later reopened.
“The public order police and Johannesburg metro police department are monitoring the situation,” said Mogale.
A case of public violence was opened and the shooting was being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.
Police arrested 15 people for public violence.
Sapa