Tempers flared as disgruntled residents of Protea Glen, Soweto, were prevented from entering Lenasia by police during a march against evictions in the township.
The group, demonstrating against the eviction of bond defaulters, planned to picket outside the office of the sheriff in Lenasia.
Several police vehicles cordoned off the entrance to Lenasia and police urged marchers to turn away as the demonstration was illegal.
Senior Superintendent Chester Spiers told protest organisers that police could not allow the demonstration to proceed.
”If I allow this illegal march to proceed into town and angry residents cause havoc I will be out of office,” he said.
”I urge the organisers [of the march] to tell people to disperse and go back home.”
Spiers said he would assist them to obtain an urgent application to conduct a demonstration.
The angry residents eventually dispersed peacefully after hearing Spiers’s plea.
Protea Glen Residents’ Association area chairperson Itumeleng Kuapeng, who was leading the march, urged Spiers to facilitate a meeting between the residents, the sheriff and representatives from the bank.
The march came after the sheriff, assisted by ”red ants” security guards, removed residents and their belongings on Tuesday.
The sheriff was acting on bank instructions. — Sapa