/ 5 January 2006

Police officer hurt in Soshanguve protests

A police inspector was injured during a stone-throwing incident at Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, on Thursday when residents demonstrated against poor service delivery, police said.

”The protests started at 3am this morning in Orange Farm informal settlement in Soshanguve. Once police intervened, stone-throwing started and an inspector was injured on the head,” said Superintendent Piletji Sebola.

The inspector received medical treatment at a local clinic.

Sebola said a group of between 80 and 100 residents had blocked off the intersection of Soutpan and Hammanskraal roads with an assortment of objects, including burning tyres.

Police arrived and dispersed the crowd with rubber bullets and stun grenades.

The road has since been cleared and traffic is moving as usual, Sebola said.

He said residents met Tshwane mayor Smangaliso Mkhatshwa at the Boikhutsong community hall to air their grievances. A second meeting has been arranged for Friday.

No arrests have been made. — Sapa