/ 23 February 2010

Shops looted in Orange Farm protest

Foreigners’ shops were looted in Orange Farm during a service-delivery protest on Tuesday, police said.

Inspector Mzimkhulu Mthimkhulu said residents went on the rampage at Extension 7 and 8, ordering shopkeepers out of their stores then taking their goods.

“Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the mob and restore order,” he said.

Police were keeping a close eye on the situation, where angry Orange Farm residents pelted police with stones and burnt tyres on Monday. They damaged police vans in the process.

Police retaliated by firing rubber bullets and tear gas before arresting 30 people for public violence.

The Golden Highway had again been closed on Tuesday after protesters burned tyres and blocked the road with rocks, Johannesburg metro police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said. — Sapa