Johannesburg - Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) visiting the family of Lerata Rabolila, who was shot dead during protests in Boiketlong, south of Johannesburg, were asked to remove their red berets on Friday.
“We do not want political parties here. The protest is about the needs of the community,” said community leader Daniel Mofokeng.
“We ordered EFF members to take off their berets because the issues in this community have nothing to do with politics but service delivery.”
EFF members visited Boiketlong informal settlement in Sebokeng without their leader, Julius Malema.
“We gave them an hour to pay their condolences to the Rabolila family,” said Mofokeng.
Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane was expected to address the residents of Boiketlong later on Friday.
Residents took to the streets on Wednesday demanding decent housing. Rabolila was shot dead during the protest.
Afterwards police spokesperson Captain Tsekiso Mofokeng said he had been shot while protesters disagreed over whether barricades should be removed.
“The protesters split into two groups. The one group wanted to remove the barricades on the road and the other group would not allow it. Several shots were fired between the two groups,” said Mofokeng.
Sapa