Police on alert in Masiphumelele

151025 Cape Town Masiphumelele Main Road as residents prepare themselves for more proteste action. Photo by Michael Walker

151025 Cape Town Masiphumelele Main Road as residents prepare themselves for more proteste action. Photo by Michael Walker

Published Oct 26, 2015

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Cape Town - The City’s Stabilisation Unit and police were deployed to Masiphumelele on Sunday night, following word that residents planned to torch a nearby caravan park.

This followed a protest on Friday where protesters hurled stones and set vehicles alight, which one resident said was over the arrest of a community leader.

On Sunday afternoon the streets were strewn with rubber bullet casings after violent protest action on Friday.

Shops in the area closed out of fear that protesters would start looting while some residents were prevented from going to work.

Children played with the springs of a burnt bed in the main road while motorists drove on pavements to avoid rocks placed on the road. A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said people were angry that the police had arrested a community leader who played a role in fighting crime in the area.

He said residents were gearing up to wreak havoc again if the leader was not released on Monday.

“We try to chase drug dealers and thieves out of the area and police arrest us for doing so. There will be another protest here if he is not released,” the man said.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said six suspects had been arrested for public violence last week and were expected to appear in court on Monday.

“Police are performing crime prevention duties in the area,” Rwexana said.

Mayco safety and security member JP Smith said the protests had moved from being about crime to sheer hooliganism.

“People are taking advantage of the situation,” Smith said.

Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said residents used force and intimidation to prevent him from going to work.

He lost out on R300 that he would have made cutting grass.

“I understand that people are frustrated with crime in the area.

“But it is ridiculous and painful that they prevent us from going to work.

 

Prior to the arrests, residents marched through the township’s streets in a show of force against crime, saying they would be working closely with the police.

Ocean View police station commander Rufie Nel said a satellite police station would be set up in Masiphumelele.

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@FrancescaJaneV

Cape Times

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