City Buzz found out about some of the top stories from last year, so check out what made big headlines.
ESCALATION: The Wits University protesters started by interrupting classes, then later bringing a halt to the running of the university and traffic in Johannesburg as they blocked off roads, and later escalated to vandalising Braamfontein stores and public property – which may or may not have been committed by Wits students themselves.
ELECTION EXCITEMENT: Last year was the year of the local elections and it had the public in a frenzy. Deciding on the fate of each municipality was left to the public – the votes of whom reflected that the ANC has some stiff competition by the other two leading parties, the DA and EFF. The results of the elections left the ANC frazzled, with the DA winning over more municipalities than in previous years and forcing coalitions between fierce rivals.
DISASTER: On 9 November one of the week’s flash floods forced car owners from their vehicles to a place of safety as they watched their possessions rise to the surface of the high waters. A reader of the local community newspapers was even able to record drone footage of a double cab that had been washed into a ditch.
MAN ON FIRE: Montecasino was in the headlines after a man set himself on fire in the famous casino and tourist destination. It was in June when a man entered the casino and allegedly used petrol to douse and set himself alight. Many speculated that he had lost a large sum of money at the establishment, while none of the whispers were confirmed by the police.
WITSIES WRATH: Who can forget the wave of violent protests that gripped Johannesburg, and the country at large, as students fought for free education.
MISSING BABY: One of the top stories of 2016 was one that could be described as every parent’s worst nightmare. A three-year-old child from Alexandra township was swept into the Jukskei River during the frightening flash floods that forced Johannesburg to a muddy standstill. Unfortunately, the body of the young child was found later that month – a terrible end to a heart-breaking act of nature.
FLOODING: The end of 2016 brought with it many stresses for Johannesburg car owners as heavy rains washed away and flooded hundreds of vehicles in suburbs across the province.
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