WATCH: Northern areas protest heats up

Police have deployed additional manpower from different police stations across the Bay as well as the public order policing unit after fed-up parents, pupils and taxi associations brought part of Nelson Mandela Bay to a standstill this morning.

Transport came to a complete halt as taxis from the area to other parts of the city joined the day-long action after 33 schools were shut down due to a number of problems, the main one being a shortage of teachers.

Police spokesman captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said a water cannon was also deployed to the scene.

“Rubber bullets have been fired as well as stun grenades and teargas used to disperse the crowds. At this stage we are trying stabilise the area and are deploying extra resources,” she said by late morning.

Live rounds were fired on the scene but it has not been established who fired them. Provincial police spokesman Brigadier Marinda Mills said that under no circumstances were any live ammunition used by the SAPS.

According to Brenhan Metune, head of EMS in Nelson Mandela Bay, ambulances are also unable to enter the area.

By early afternoon police said the situation was under control.

"Police will continue to monitor and maintain high visibility in the area including air support to all the affected areas," said Mills.

No arrests for public violence had yet been made.

The public is advised to avoid Stanford Road, Gail Road and 3rd Avenue and also roads between Hartebees Street and Pienaar Street, due to complaints of stone throwing reported there.

Live shots fired at the residents in Helenvale

— Deneesha Pillay (@deneeshapillay)