JOHANNESBURG - A protest over weeks of water shortages in Ratanda, Gauteng, has turned deadly.
The community claims two people were killed during clashes with police. A community activist alleges one of the victims was sitting outside a tavern and was not involved in the protest.
Community activist Bayanda Radebe said the area has been without water for more than four weeks.
"But what further exacerbated the problem and the crisis is the force used by the police against civilians when they are expressing anger over this issue of water," he said.
Radebe alleged police used live ammunition to disperse the crowd on Thursday.
"Yesterday [Thursday], it was reported that the second victim died. They shot him in the head. And what makes it even worse is that this victim who was shot was sitting at a tavern. He was not even participating," he said.
Police have not confirmed the deaths or the allegations that officers used live ammunition. Police comment will be added once received.