Police will maintain a strong presence in Diepsloot following violent protests in the township earlier this week, police said on Friday.
”We will continue to keep a strong presence in the area. We are prepared for any eventuality that might occur,” said Pretoria police spokesperson Inspector Percy Morokane.
He said the situation in Diepsloot, north-west of Johannesburg, had been calm since Thursday, following three days of protests over a rumour that the community would be moved to Brits, north of Pretoria.
”The past 48 hours have been calm,” Morokane said. ”We don’t expect any problems.”
Joe Legodi, a Diepsloot community leader, also said the township was calm.
”It’s quiet this [Friday] morning. I don’t know about later,” he said.
Diepsloot residents went on the rampage, stoning cars and burning two government buildings. A total of 19 people were arrested in connection with the violent protests.
Gauteng housing MEC Nomvula Mokonyane and officials from the Johannesburg city council have rejected claims that the people were to be moved to Brits.
On Thursday, Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said she had asked law enforcement agencies to investigate and deal with those spreading the false rumours in Diepsloot.
Sisulu said she was seriously concerned about the situation.
”Of particular concern is that despite repeated assurances by both MEC of housing, Mrs Nomvula Mokonyane, and the Johannesburg Metro that people will not be moved to Brits, violence continued,” she said.
Residents claimed Diepsloot councillor Sarafina Mulaudzi is the one who told them they were to be moved to Brits. But the Johannesburg city council said Mulaudzi has denied the clam.
The Landless People’s Movement contended that the city council intended relocating the community, ahead of the Soccer World Cup in 2010.
”In 2002 the first big wave of post-apartheid forced removals began to clear informal settlements out of the way before the World Summit of Sustainable Development came to town,” the movement said in a statement.
”Now that the World Cup is on its way, it is clear that the Johannesburg Metro council is planning to do the same to make foreign visitors believe that South Africa is a country for the rich.” – Sapa