ANGRY residents of Mshenguville, a squatter camp in Atteridgeville, Tshwane, staged a violent protest over land yesterday.
They burned a municipal truck and two scrap cars and barricaded several roads with burning tyres and rubbish.
The protest during the early hours of the morning prevented cars from moving in or out of the squatter camp.
Angry residents told Daily Sun their protest was sparked by a City of Tshwane decision to demolish their houses and shacks on Monday and Tuesday.
“They came here with Red Ants and bulldozers and demolished our houses without any notice. On Monday we obtained a court order to stop the city, but they went ahead anyway,” said a resident.
People held a community meeting on Wednesday where they discussed the matter with Councillor Betty Ringane.
“She said she was not aware of the evictions and didn’t know our houses were going to be destroyed. That’s when we decided we were not going to work and would stage a protest to make our voices heard,” said a man.
The mayoral committee member for human settlements, Mandla Nkomo, said people had invaded government land.
“The province obtained a court order to evict the land invaders, and it is within their right to do so. I’m not going to address the residents. If they want us to meet, they must make a proper appointment,” he said.
By yesterday noon the people were still protesting, braving the rain. They said were not going anywhere until Nkomo and Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Paul Mashatile came to address them and provide them with alternative land.
