Cape Town – Protest chaos in Cape Town’s city centre has forced many businesses to lock their doors, keeping many people trapped inside.

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille said the protest was part of the ANC’s “ungovernability” campaign.

ENCA reporter Lester Kiewit said it looked as if about 800 to 900 people were taking part in the protest.

Many businesses, including that of the News24 office, had closed its doors while stallholders closed up their stalls.

News24 reporter Nielen de Klerk said a shop owner had been injured by protesters.

An ANC councillor, Loyiso Nkohla, was quoted by the Daily Sun newspaper as encouraging people to loot shops as part of the protest. Nkohla wanted a memorandum to be handed over to Zille demanding housing and more land for squatters.

Hundreds of protesters converged on the provincial legislature’s offices earlier on Wednesday but by 14:30 protesters, many with stick, were running amok in the city.

Car windows had been smashed and stalls were broken.

Kiewit said police had cordoned off Wale Street where the provincial legislature offices were.

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– News24