You’ve probably seen #Zamdela trending on your timeline today. The riots in the Sasolburg township of Zamdela have rocked South Africa, with the most compelling reportage coming from the ground via Twitter. Check out this collection of tweets, for a timeline of the riot.

 

#Sasolburg There've been no protests in #Zamdela this morning. Unconfirmed reports that Minister Richard Baloyi is coming. TMN

— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) January 22, 2013

 

https://twitter.com/brendanroane/status/293630148673142784

 

FYI: Residents of Metsimaholo municipality in Sasolburg are protesting against proposed merger with Ngwathe municipality in Parys #Zamdela

— Mail & Guardian Events (@MGSpecialEvents) January 22, 2013

 

Metsimaholo residents complain the Ngwathe municipality is corrupt and filled with FS premier Ace Magashule's cronies. #Zamdela

— Mail & Guardian Events (@MGSpecialEvents) January 22, 2013

 

#Sasolburg Community meeting at 10am at the Zamdela Sports Stadium. Local SAPS spokesperson said to be speaking to community. @The_New_Age

— Michael Appel (@TheMikeAppel) January 22, 2013

 

"uAce asimfuni, sifun'iZamdela (We don't want Ace Magashule, we want Zamdela)" #Zamdela service delivery protest song

— Zotsho ?? (@LoyisoSidimba) January 22, 2013

 

#Zamdela stadium in full swing. Protestors chanting & singing. "Phansi Ace (Magashule)! Phansi!"

— Mail & Guardian Events (@MGSpecialEvents) January 22, 2013

 

Some of the #Zamdela protesters still drinking the booze looted yesterday.

— Zotsho ?? (@LoyisoSidimba) January 22, 2013

 

"If the politicians don't come today there is going to be serious shit!" FS EMS officer Frikkie van der Walt #Zamdela

— Mail & Guardian Events (@MGSpecialEvents) January 22, 2013

 

https://twitter.com/southafrica_sos/status/293647250104672256

 

#Zamdela stadium is emptying out now. Residents promise to head to Sasolburg and "bring the place to the ground"

— Mail & Guardian Events (@MGSpecialEvents) January 22, 2013

 

"Tell them I told you Ace (Magashule) is a poes! Fuck him, we dont want to go to Parys!" #Zamdela resident Kenneth Pule

— Mail & Guardian Events (@MGSpecialEvents) January 22, 2013

 

Rubber bullets fired at protesters. Tense stand off bwtn cops and Zamdela residents. A medic assists man injured during standoff @eNCAnews

— Mayleen Vincent-Bester (@MayleenVincent) January 22, 2013

 

The marchers pushed back into the township and now not between town and township. Marchers now burning Zamdela township #SasolburgRiots

— Lidudumalingani (@Lidudumalingani) January 22, 2013

 

https://twitter.com/lannerspub/status/293656554056605697

 

Riot police ready for action in #Zamdela http://t.co/qwuKOZAS

— Nickolaus Bauer (@NickolausBauer) January 22, 2013

 

Shit is about to kick off proper in #Zamdela now. Police about to face down protestors with rubber bullets and tear gas. More @MG_Reporter

— Nickolaus Bauer (@NickolausBauer) January 22, 2013

 

Been confined to Zamdela Police Station for my own safety. Violence broken out again. #Sasolburg #SABCNews

— A Greta Thunberg Stan Account (@missbolani) January 22, 2013

 

Zamdela Police Station under attack. Back up being requested. #Sasolburg #SABCNews

— A Greta Thunberg Stan Account (@missbolani) January 22, 2013

 

#Zamdela protestors toying with Police. Edging closer, taunting officers and lobbing rocks. Police retain line formation, rifles drawn.

— Mail & Guardian Events (@MGSpecialEvents) January 22, 2013

 

Ons was in Zamdela vasgekeer. Jong seun het voor ons 'n tak aan die brand gesteek en gesê ons kan nie verder ry @Beeld_Nuus

— Riata (@RiataNel) January 22, 2013

 

Police confirm the #Zamdela SAPS station has been set alight. Local Telkom office is smoldering too.

— Mail & Guardian Events (@MGSpecialEvents) January 22, 2013

 

This used to be a Vodacom phone shop, protesters destroyed it to barricade #Zamdela entrance http://t.co/ZmcxErXc

— Zotsho ?? (@LoyisoSidimba) January 22, 2013

 

Van carrying 4 seriously injured #Zamdela protestors rush through police lines. http://t.co/YBBpSfq7

— Nickolaus Bauer (@NickolausBauer) January 22, 2013

 

Pots, stoves, gas cylinders, mirrors & groceries looted from filling station. Too dangerous to photograph #Zamdela #Sasolburg

— Zotsho ?? (@LoyisoSidimba) January 22, 2013

 

Receiving unconfirmed reports that officers are trapped in #Zamdela SAPS station. Tactical response unit deployed to assist.

— Mail & Guardian Events (@MGSpecialEvents) January 22, 2013

 

Man in van carrying #Zamdela injured claims two are dead. Police will not confirm.

— Mail & Guardian Events (@MGSpecialEvents) January 22, 2013

 

#Sasolburg Cops say some protestors have guns "and u can't see where it's coming from". @Zamdela police station, SAPS have set up perimeter.

— Michael Appel (@TheMikeAppel) January 22, 2013

 

Just made it back to the #Zamdela police station. Reinforcements cleared area. Running battles with residents on community's streets.

— Nickolaus Bauer (@NickolausBauer) January 22, 2013

 

#Sasolburg Medics say there is a report of an overturned police van in Zamdela with cops trapped inside. @The_New_Age

— Michael Appel (@TheMikeAppel) January 22, 2013

 

#ZamdelaRiots a man has just been stabbed by one of the residents, seems like they fighting among each other #Zamdela

— Aldrin Sampear (@AldrinSampear) January 22, 2013

 

Uniformed police also drinking booze, 'cool drinks' from one of the looted shops. #Zamdela #Sasolburg

— Zotsho ?? (@LoyisoSidimba) January 22, 2013

 

So Minister Baloyi has agreed to reconsider the merger of the Metsimaholo & Ngwathe municipalities. #Zamdela

— Tiro GT ? ?? (@TiroMokoditoa) January 22, 2013

 

I received 3 statements from the ANC and its leagues today. All 3 about a bank advert. None on Zamdela/Sasolburg situation or Ace Magashule.

— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) January 21, 2013