OWN CORRESPONDENT, Durban | Thursday 9.20pm
A RISING standoff between residents of the Dukuduku forest in northern KwaZulu-Natal and the provincial nature conservation service exploded on Thursday afternoon when police exchanged gunfire with residents.
SABC1 news said eyewitnesses said the forest residents fired at the police, who retaliated. Three residents were arrested and the others fled into the forest when police fired teargas to disperse them.
The situation has been boiling since Saturday when forest residents held a march claiming the conservation service granted permission to outsiders to cut the grass which they say was on their land.
On Wednesday morning police used teargas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse a group of residents who allegedly intimidated women who were cutting Incema grass in the area.
Incema grass is a much sought after natural resource used in weaving.
Recently Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry Asmal brokered an agreement to relocate the residents to nearby farms which were bought for them at a cost of R20-million.
About 270 families welcomed the agreement but a small group of residents refused to be relocated and allegedly intimidated those who were keen to move.