Diepsloot still in turmoil
2004-07-06 14:18
Johannesburg - A total of 19 people have been arrested in two days of violence at Diepsloot as residents protested against a rumoured relocation to Brits, north of Pretoria, police said on Tuesday.
Inspector Percy Morokane said seven people were arrested on Monday afternoon and another 10 on Monday evening.
Two more people were arrested on Tuesday morning after a mass meeting was held to address the concerns of the residents.
"As they were dispersing the residents started throwing stones at the police," Morokane said, adding that soon after that the two were arrested.
He said they would face charges of arson and public violence.
The Johannesburg City Council has denied that any residents would be relocated to Brits.
A member of the mayoral committee, Strike Ralegoma, told Sapa it was just a rumour and "there is no such thing".
Gauteng Housing MEC Nomvula Mokonyane also dismissed the rumours as "incorrect and misleading" in a statement on Tuesday.
"I wish to assure people affected by this fictitious rumour that the Gauteng provincial government and the City of Johannesburg have at no stage contemplated to move Diepsloot residents to Brits," she said.
Radio station's vehicle stoned
"If there was any decision of this nature, as claimed by those fuelling violence, we would have widely consulted and discussed the matter with people of Diepsloot and interested parties," Mokonyane said.
Residents protesting on Monday against the relocation burnt two municipal buildings.
The community was moved to Diepsloot in 2000 from Alexandra after the Jukskei River flooded, creating a threat to lives and property.
The situation remained volatile on Tuesday, with a large number of residents running along the R511 between Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The road was closed between Mnandi informal settlement and Diepsloot.
A meeting was scheduled for later on Tuesday afternoon between the community and the city council.
A 702 radio news vehicle was badly damaged when residents stoned it.
- SAPA