UP IN ARMS: Diepsloot residents protest after rumours that they were to be relocated to Brits in the North West.PHOTO: Antonio Muchave
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Residents protest after allegations that they will be relocated to Brits in NW
RESIDENTS of Diepsloot Extension 1, north of Johannesburg, today woke up to scenes of looted shops and rock-lined streets.
This after police fired rubber bullets at residents last night in what they said was meant to prevent them from continuing to loot shops following a protest they staged earlier in the day.
About 300 residents said they were angry after rumours started circulating that they would be relocated from their homes and moved to Brits in the North West, about 50km north of Pretoria .
According to some residents, representatives of the Johannesburg municipality met the local South Africa National Civic Organisation leadership last week.
The civic structure was allegedly told that residents were to be moved to Brits.
“It doesn’t make sense that they want to move us from here to Brits. Most of us work in Johannesburg. Brits is way too far,” said a woman who did not want to be named.
But local ANC chairperson Chris Vondo said there would be no relocations.
“There is no decision to relocate residents. Leaders are manipulating the community and do not want to see development in the area. The area is congested and the City of Johannesburg is in the process of improving its conditions,” Vondo said.
The protesters blockaded streets with burning tyres, rocks and portable toilets.
They also threatened to burn local councillor Dan Mahlangu’s house.
Mahlangu was away attending a tombstone unveiling in Mpumalanga.
Police were dispatched to the area to try and keep the situation calm. The protest action started at about 9am.
Another resident, Tshepo Leteki, said: “They say they want to move us because they want to build RDP houses here. If that is the reason, why are they only moving one section ?”
A resident who seemed alarmed by the criminal activities reported the looting to police. “They broke into an Indian-owned shop and stole everything. The owner sells clothes and DVDs.”
At about 6pm, police were still monitoring the situation . However, by late last night the township had returned to normal.
In the past five years Diepsloot has been the scene of several service delivery protests during which violence has erupted.
Councillors’ homes and other buildings have been torched in the process.
Police spokesperson Inspector Daniel Mavimbela said no arrests had been made by late last night.
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