Quinton Mtyala
Long-simmering tensions over housing allocation in Langa boiled over early this morning as residents shut down the township.
Residents are demanding that houses be built for them close to where their shacks are built.
Whatsapp messages had been sent out as early as last night, informing residents of the protest.
Schools shut down, the busy Jakes Gerwel Drive was barricaded and the Metrorail line was sabotaged.
Earlier in the morning the local post office was torched and a Shoprite U-Save store was looted.
Most of those protesting are residents of the former hostels who are demanding that they also be prioritised for housing.
While police were playing a cat and mouse game with some protesters, others were looting small businesses.