Disturbances in Motherwell bring public transportation to a halt

Disturbances in Motherwell -- which is located near Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape -- brought public transportation to a halt on 22 October 2008. The violence began at 0620 local time on Ngonyama Street in Motherwell, where residents broke the windows of several buses, taxis and private vehicles; bus passengers were also seen breaking windows from the inside and climbing out of the broken windows. At least three shots were fired as anti-riot police officers attempted to escort buses and taxis out of the city in order to minimize damage. The violence subsided at 1100 local time, but authorities maintained a strong police presence in the city in the immediate aftermath of the incident. There were no reported injuries from the gunshots, but at least one person was injured from thrown rocks and several were arrested for public violence. The motivation behind the violence is still unknown, but authorities believe that the goal was to bring public transportation to a halt. A protest over new public transportation for the 2010 World Cup was scheduled to take place in Port Elizabeth on 22 October, as well, but it is unclear whether the two incidents are related.