8 held after Diepsloot protests
2009-07-06 08:02
Johannesburg - Eight people were arrested on Monday following violent protests in Diepsloot, Johannesburg police said.
"We arrested eight men at 02:00 this morning (Monday), just before the situation calmed down," Inspector Daniel Mavimbele said.
The eight were arrested for public violence after Sunday night's housing protest by hundreds of residents.
According to IOL Online, roads were barricaded with burning tyres and furniture, large rocks were placed on the streets, and protesters stoned cars. Shops in the area were also looted.
The protest began at 10:00. It was held to demonstrate dissatisfaction over the allocation of houses and the fact that some of the shack dwellers were once again being moved - this time to an informal settlement in Brits, north-west of Pretoria.
They also demanded electricity.
It was reported that a group also threatened to torch the local councillor's house, which remained under police guard last night.
A police helicopter was also sent to the area to monitor hotspots.
Mavimbele said that the situation was "calm for now", but protests may start again later in the day, if the protesters demands were not met.
"A heavy police presence remains in Diepsloot," he said.
- SAPA