Johannesburg metro police fired rubber bullets at Eldorado Park residents on Wednesday when the residents became violent over the demolition of their shacks.
Inspector Edna Mamonyane said the residents started throwing stones at the metro police demolishing the shacks.
The residents also barricaded roads with burning tyres in protest against the demolition.
About 2 000 shacks were destroyed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
”We had to go there and deal with people who were illegally invading land that does not belong to them, they were building structures on open spaces,” said Mamonyane.
Metro police dispersed the mob. No injuries or arrests were reported.
The spate of orchestrated land grabs in Eldorado Park is illegal.
Local councillor in Eldorado Park Kevin Wax said he was aware of the housing crisis that had led to the violence.
”While I sympathise deeply with those residents who have struggled for years without proper housing, it is my responsibility to oppose any illegal activity that works against the greater good of the community.”
Wax pleaded with the community to be patient while the municipality found ways to resolve the problem.
”You have already waited so long. Do not damage any chances of a successful conclusion to the housing crisis by illegally grabbing land,” he said.
In a meeting with Wax on Monday, the City of Johannesburg pledged that it would take the necessary steps to deal with the housing issues in that area.
Wax called on community leaders to work together to resolve the matter.
”Let us put our differences aside and work together to advance the cause of all our people living in the ward,” he said. — Sapa