Protest: 10 hurt, 20 arrested

2008-09-08 14:07

Johannesburg - Ten Orange Farm residents were injured during a protest over poor service delivery on Monday, Gauteng police said.

Constable Edwin Ntsheo said emergency services took 10 people to hospital for injuries described as "not serious".

Twenty people were arrested for public violence during the protest. They will appear before the Vereeniging Magistrate's Court soon.

Residents burnt tyres and threatened to blockade the Golden Highway in the protest, which started at 02:00, said Johannesburg metro police spokesperson Inspector Edna Mamonyane.

"Metro police managed to bring the situation under control and make sure that the highway was not blockaded," she said.

Situation 'very tense'

Describing the situation as "very tense", Mamonyane said metro police would remain on the scene to ensure the safety of motorists and road users.

Ntsheo said community members met with local councillors, community leaders and the provincial government on Monday to discuss a way forward.

At the meeting residents complained of a lack of a sewerage system, toilets, street lights and title deeds for home owners in the settlement and said their grievances had not been addressed since 1994.

While other, newer townships were being developed, Orange Farm was not, they said, adding that not even undertakers and ambulances could drive down the streets between their houses.

At noon on Monday community leaders were reporting back on the meeting to residents.

Another meeting would be held at 18:00 on Tuesday at Itemoheleng primary school in Orange Farm, said Ntsheo.

- SAPA