Three arrested after shooting at Hillbrow protest leaves two injured

Gauteng police have arrested three suspects after a shooting during a protest in Hillbrow left two people wounded, including a 17-year-old. The incident unfolded on Tuesday amid nationwide demonstrations targeting undocumented foreign nationals.

What happened during the Hillbrow demonstration

According to IOL, police allege the three suspects opened fire at protesters who were passing through the street, injuring two people.

“It is alleged that the trio opened fire at protesters who were passing through the street, injuring two people,”

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili said.

IOL reports that the injured include a 17-year-old. The protesters reportedly retaliated by torching the suspects’ vehicle.

Arrests, weapons and charges

Gauteng police arrested the three suspects and seized two licensed firearms believed to have been used in the incident. The suspects are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on charges of attempted murder, IOL said.

Wider protest context and security response

The shooting occurred during the June 30 nationwide protest, which targeted undocumented foreign nationals and was led by more than 20 civic groups, including the March and March movement, IOL reports. Organisers set an unofficial June 30 deadline for undocumented foreign nationals to self-deport.

Protests took place across all nine provinces. In Gauteng, some demonstrators were reported carrying sjamboks and knopkieries as they marched through the streets. While the official march ended, IOL reports a splinter group of more than 1,000 protesters remained in the CBD and tensions escalated, turning the demonstration violent.

Following the unrest in the CBD, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was deployed to help maintain order. IOL said heavily armed soldiers were seen patrolling alongside police.

Next steps

The Gauteng Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS), co-chaired by the South African Police Service, the State Security Agency and the SANDF, will provide an update on Wednesday following marches held across the province, IOL reports.

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