/ 19 February 2014

Zandspruit shack removal protest subsides

Zandspruit Shack Removal Protest Subsides

Beyers Naude Drive in Honeydew was reopened on Wednesday morning as a protest in the Zandspruit informal settlement west of Johannesburg subsided, Metro police said.

"The situation has subsided at the moment and there is a heavy police presence in the area," said Senior Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.

Minnar said that there was still smouldering tyres and debris on the side of Beyers Naude Drive, between Johan and Peter roads, but traffic could pass through.

Protest action continued throughout the night in the area, which blocked the roads, he said.

On Tuesday, residents barricaded roads with burning tyres and stones in protest over the removal of their shacks.

Captain Doniah Mothutsane said residents had illegally erected shacks along Beyers Naude Drive, making it difficult for vehicles to pass.

Torched bakkie
She said Metro police had removed their structures earlier in the day, which started the protest. Police met residents about the matter last week.

A bakkie and an old vehicle, which was parked at a petrol station in the area had been torched. No arrests had been made yet and no injuries were reported.

Police were monitoring the area, said Mothutsane. – Sapa