Princess protesters block road
Princess residents get violent in their demands for housing
JMPD officers had to dodge deadly accurate rock-throwing and fire warning shots in retaliation as protests on South Road intensified.
Princess informal settlement residents blocked South Road (at the dip) with large rocks and also burned tyres. The protesters were also digging a trench on the road to create a further obstacle for vehicles. The action is concentrated between Pannevis Street and Van de Linde Road.
Also read: BREAKING: Riots flare up again in Princess
A Metrobus was also set alight near Westgate Mall and the driver was injured. The latest round of protest action follows a week-long stand-off between the police and Princess residents on Albertina Sisulu Road, where two trucks were torched. A man from a towing company also had to be rescued by police after a petrol bomb was thrown at him while he was trying to tow the trucks away.
The residents have been protesting because of housing issues and have demanded that mayor Herman Mashaba come to address them. The protests are in their second week and residents have vowed to not cease their actions until their voices are heard.
Lindhaven residents, who are bearing the brunt of the protests, said they live in fear as the protesters could resort to anything, including looting, to get attention.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
