Protea Glen residents are to march on the Lenasia Office of the Sheriff on Wednesday to protest bond default evictions in the Soweto suburb, a local leader said.
Protea Glen Residents’ Association secretary Tumi Kwuateng said a teenager, George Malatje, was injured by a police rubber bullet during protests on Tuesday.
Malatje, aged about 16, was apparently passing by the protest when he was hit on the forehead.
Kwuateng said Malatje was in a stable condition at home on Tuesday night.
Malatje’s family could not be immediately contacted at the number provided.
Police spokesperson Captain Mbazima Shiburi could not confirm or deny the shooting but invited anyone injured by police action to lodge a case so that it could be investigated.
Pan Africanist Congress Johannesburg chief whip Ernst Mahlobo said some high-profile party personalities will be joining in the march ”which, it is hoped, will be peaceful”.
Mahlobo said a rumour is already circulating in the area that police will stop the march.
”We ask the media to use their contacts in the police to ensure the whole thing does not turn into a riot or even a bloodbath,” he said in a statement.
”The government must take the lead in ensuring that genuine grievances are addressed expeditiously, instead of using a Jimmy Kruger lecture, labelling people troublemakers.”
Mahlobo was referring to comments made by Gauteng housing minister Nomvula Mokonyane after violent protests in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, last week.
Jimmy Kruger was an apartheid-era government minister who infamously remarked that the death of black consciousness leader Steve Biko had left him cold.
Meanwhile, Shiburi said the situation in the area was calm after protesters dispersed in the late afternoon as sheriffs evicted a last group of residents from repossessed houses.
Police were in the area to cordon off premises before the sheriff — assisted by ”red ants” security guards, so called for their red overalls — removed residents and their belongings, a Sapa photographer at the scene said.
A crowd of mainly schoolchildren had followed them all day, shouting and occasionally throwing stones.
Journalists had also had rocks thrown at them.
This followed larger protests this morning in which four people were arrested.
About 200 people had attempted to block the roads and prevent the evictions.
Shiburi said the sheriff was apparently acting on the instructions of a bank. — Sapa