Tear gas, rubber bullets fly at Coronationville water protest Kills 81 year old man. Image credit: News24
(The Post News)- An 81-year-old man has died and a 15-year-old teenager has been hospitalised after being hit by rubber bullets during a community protest over water shortages in Coronationville on Wednesday, 10 September 2025.
The protest, which began Tuesday morning, saw dozens of residents block roads with burning tyres and debris in response to what they describe as “weeks without water.” Community members say taps have been dry for over 14 days, forcing families to rely on sporadic water tankers and nearby informal sources.
Reports indicate that the 81 year old was on his way to run some errands when he got shot. By the time residents saw him it was too late, he sustained gunshot wounds and dead. Nkosinathi Mashaba, a resident said, ““He wasn’t even part of the protest. We are devastated by this tragic incident.”
Mashaba highlights that the protest started on Tuesday, the community members were not impressed with its service delivery. “We are tired of empty promises. Water is a basic human right, and we haven’t had any for more than two weeks. Now they are shooting us for demanding to live with dignity,” he said.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that officers used rubber bullets to control what they described as an “increasingly volatile crowd.”
“SAPS members were deployed to manage a public disturbance in Coronationville. Rubber bullets were discharged after some protesters began throwing stones and damaging property,” said the police.
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