Protesters block Cape Town highway

Published Mar 16, 2012

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About 100 Khayelitsha residents were locked in a stand-off with police on the N2 highway in Cape Town, Western Cape police said on Friday.

Captain Frederick van Wyk said men, women and children blocked the highway at about 10pm on Thursday with stones, rubble and burning tyres.

The crowd had gathered at the Mew Way bridge near the airport, he said.

Police were pelted with stones. They warned residents to disperse but were ignored.

“Two stun grenades were thrown among the protesters and they ran and hid behind a wall. They were still throwing stones at the (police) members,” van Wyk said.

A flare was set off to provide light for the officers, who then moved to disperse the crowd.

Residents disappeared between houses before they could be apprehended.

Van Wyk said police patrolled the township while the highway was cleared of debris.

It was re-opened at 1am.

The motive for the protest is unknown, and no arrests were made. – Sapa

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