Tshwane - Several police vehicles were patrolling the Brazzaville informal settlement in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, on Wednesday following overnight violent protests linked to housing grievances.
Tshwane Metro Police Department spokesperson, Isaac Mahamba, said the municipality had cracked down on a group which had attempted to illegally occupy RDP houses.
"Following scenes of aggression by a clique in Brazzaville, Pretoria West, the TMPD had to move swiftly to crack down on the group that wanted to illegally occupy RDP houses last night, July 11, 2017. The TMPD received reports of a group behaving in a disruptive and disorderly manner in the community of Brazzaville and responded accordingly. Upon reaching the scene, the unruly group had already torched two buses," said Mahamba.
"The city expresses complete disapproval of the actions by this deviant group that has now robbed the community of transportation service. In addition, actions of anarchy will not be tolerated as the targeted houses are meant for beneficiaries that qualify and had applied for them."
A torched bus blocking a busy intersection in #Atteridgeville, Pretoria. Bus was torched by protesting community members @AfriNewsAgency pic.twitter.com/dE6dq3qpoi
— Jonisayi W. Maromo (@Jonisayi) July 12, 2017
He said members of the TMPD and SAPS had been deployed onsite to maintain stability in the area and to "ensure order prevails in Brazzaville".
No injuries have been reported and no arrests made.
Mahamba appealed to community members to "report the instigators of this illegal protest and occupation of the RDP houses to the police".