Teen shot dead during protest

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Durban - Police are investigating the death of a 15-year-old boy who was shot dead during a service delivery protest on Monday in Folweni Reserve, south of Durban.

Investigators are probing whether Xolani Buthelezi was shot by a police officer or a protester.

Xolani was among a crowd of angry protesters who were demonstrating against poor service delivery and increased taxi fares.

“About 1 500 people took part in the march and there were shots fired within the crowd which prompted a police officer to shoot back,” said police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Vincent Mdunge.

“Police collected evidence from the scene and sent it to the forensic science laboratory to find out what type of firearm was used to kill him.

“A post-mortem will also be conducted,” he said.

Police spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane said Folweni police were investigating a case of murder and that no arrests had been made.

Last month, police arrested 43 people in Umbumbulu after they took part in a violent protest against increased taxi fares.

About 250 people had blockaded the R603 in the area, with protesters placing burning tyres and old refrigerators on the road.

Bafana Mhlongo, secretary of the KwaZulu-Natal Transport Alliance, said that while he had heard about the protest, he did not understand why people always attacked the industry every time a fare increase was proposed.

“They forget that we are not subsidised by the government. They should be protesting for the government to subsidise us as this would benefit commuters.”

He said taxi associations had the right to increase fares if they felt they were no longer coping with the expenses because of petrol increases. - Daily News