The situation across Tshwane would have been calmer if the African National Congress’s (ANC) top leadership had moved swiftly to meet protesting party supporters, Democratic Alliance (DA) mayoral candidate for Tshwane, Solly Msimanga said on Tuesday.

"I was in Mamelodi earlier and Sputla (Tshwane Mayor and ANC regional chairperson Kgosientso Ramokgopa’s nickname). I have been to Pretoria CBD and we are now here in Atteridgeville. The leaders should have been here," Msimanga told reporters along WF Nkomo street barricaded by protesters.

"Jessie Duarte and Thoko Didiza, the ANC mayoral candidate, should have been here. Mapiti Matsena (ANC Tshwane deputy chairperson) should have been here. None of them is here and the people are going wild. This cannot be tolerated and leadership is needed."

Msimanga addressed reporters near the smouldering shell of a huge delivery truck which was torched by the protesters. Some passers-by said its goods were looted.

Huge boulders were placed on the usually busy WF Nkomo Street, leading into Atteridgeville.

Violence has rocked Pretoria since Sunday, as news filtered in indicating that former cabinet minister, Thoko Didiza, would be named as the city’s mayoral candidate for the ANC in the August 3 polls, replacing Ramokgopa.

Residents said they were not happy with Didiza and wanted Ramokgopa to remain in his position.

Msimanga said the violence which followed Didiza’s nomination was a very worrying indicator.

"Just before elections, this is the worrying behaviour we see when some people are not getting their way. What will happen when they lose the elections? Will there be calmness? Will their leaders call the people to restrain themselves?" Msimanga asked.

"As things have been happening now, people have not been called to restrain themselves."

Hours earlier, a large police contingent, including members of the tactical response team, went into Atteridgeville, and unblocked the numerous roads littered with rubble and rubbish.

On Monday, three metro police officers had to run for their lives when they were attacked by the protesters.

Ramokgopa and Matsena distanced themselves from the protests on Monday and condemned the violence. They called on residents to accept the mayoral candidacy and rally behind Didiza.

The ANC called for calm on Monday, with secretary Gwede Mantashe telling radio station PowerFM that the protests were "acts of thuggery" and that the protesters were not members of the governing party.