Two people have died and one person has been hospitalised amid ongoing protests in Diepkloof, Soweto, that erupted over service delivery issues on Monday, 19 May 2025.
Gauteng SAPS confirm details about the two deaths
Police have confirmed the details surrounding the deaths as the situation on the ground remains tense.
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Mavela Masondo revealed that one protester died after being hit by a car while attempting to block the N12 freeway in the early hours of the morning.
“The residents went to close the freeway. One of the protesters was knocked by a car and taken to hospital where he died on arrival,” Masondo said.
A second fatality occurred within the Diepkloof Hostel area, where a truck driver, trying to escape from protesters allegedly throwing stones at him, ran over two people.
“He ran over a male and female. The female was injured and has been taken to hospital. The male unfortunately died at the scene,” said Masondo.
Masondo confirmed that while the driver is not currently under arrest, police have located him in Johannesburg.
Detectives are taking over the investigation and will obtain a full statement. For now, a case of public violence has been opened, but further charges may follow depending on the outcome of the investigation.
The protests were sparked by long-standing grievances from Diepkloof Hostel residents, including poor water supply, inadequate sanitation, housing challenges, and claims of illegal land sales.
Several residents also reported that their homes had been demolished.
Violence has marked the demonstrations, with one truck looted and another torched. Footage from 04:29 Monday morning shows a mob ransacking a truck carrying canned fish at the N12 interchange.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) confirmed closures on the N12 Eastbound and Westbound at the N1 split, as well as on the N1 Northbound and Southbound at the N12 split.
JMPD urged motorists to avoid the Diepkloof Interchange entirely.
“Use Rand Show Road and the Golden Highway instead,” said JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla, noting that those routes may also face congestion.
Law enforcement presence remains heavy in the area, including police nyalas, drones, and reinforcements.
Forensic pathologists were dispatched to collect the deceased from the scene.
