Golden Highway open after protests

Cape Town 31-03-04 Protestors burnt tyres in Elsies river protesting against a mans house who was taken down . They threw rocks at police who retaliated by shooting rubber bulletts , tear gas , stun grenades and a water canon was used to disperse the crowd Pic BRENTON geach

Cape Town 31-03-04 Protestors burnt tyres in Elsies river protesting against a mans house who was taken down . They threw rocks at police who retaliated by shooting rubber bulletts , tear gas , stun grenades and a water canon was used to disperse the crowd Pic BRENTON geach

Published Sep 23, 2014

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Johannesburg - The Golden Highway was reopened on Tuesday after residents of Lehae township, south of Johannesburg, blockaded it with rocks earlier, metro police said.

The highway was reopened around noon after the rocks and stones had been removed, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said.

“Traffic is flowing but there is still a very heavy police presence.”

He said some of the protesters were still in the area.

The protest started before 5am. Human settlements MEC Jacob Mamabolo condemned it, called on police to stabilise the area and to act against those responsible.

“There is no reason for this type of unlawful protest in this area. Lehae has been receiving attention by government in terms of housing and other services.”

Mamabolo said he was open to discussions with residents of the area, near Lenasia.

“I have established a task team to investigate the issues surrounding the protests and to engage in talks with the community.”

Mixed income development plans for the area included building 5344 housing units, of which 3066 would be RDP houses, 770 rental units and 1508 bonded units, he said.

Six community centres, two secondary schools, two primary schools, four crèches, eight sites for religious institutions, two taxi ranks, four business sites and 38 public open spaces were part of the plan, Mamabolo said. His office could not immediately say when this would be implemented.

Sapa

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