/ 23 July 2007

Cops fire rubber bullets at Kliptown protesters

Police fired rubber bullets at protesting residents in Kliptown, south of Johannesburg, on Monday after being pelted with stones during a service-delivery protest.

Police spokesperson Captain Phillomon Khorombi said the protesters were gathered at the Kliptown shopping centre.

”The situation is tense, but under control.”

Khorombi said the protesters wanted to meet with a housing department official.

”They have an issue with sanitation, electricity and housing.”

The protesters barricaded roads in Kliptown with rocks and burning tyres early on Monday morning.

Khorombi said police had cleared most of the barricades on the main road by noon.

”Traffic is flowing,” he said.

Johannesburg metro police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar advised motorists to use alternative roads such as Oxford Road on the N12 freeway.

Police and metro security officials were monitoring the situation. — Sapa