Angry protesters chase ward councillor away

In an effort to subdue the protest raging in Diepsloot, ward councillor  for ward 113, Abraham Mabuke was chased away when he tried addressing the issue of jobs to protesters.

Angry residents chose rather to go back to one of the township’s main roads to burn more tyres out of frustration.

One resident said it is no wonder they are protesting.

According to her it was common knowledge that jobs offered at construction sites around Diepsloot were corrupt.

“ANC people get jobs first because they have a tender with council. Whenever something comes up, example road work or they need people for building in Diepsloot he [Mabuke] calls them [ANC members] first before calling anyone else or even putting up job posts. In Diepsloot you don’t get a job because you have experience, you get a job because you know the counsillor.”

24 April, 9.56am: EFF ‘hijacks’ Diepsloot protest

Residents taking to the street in protest for jobs quickly spread through Diepsloot.

In Ext 9, 12 and 13 residents burned tyres to show their frustration that residents from the township was not able to secure jobs at a nearby construction site.

The protest is however being hijacked by political indifference.

According to a staunch SACP member, EFF members started disrupting the protest.

EFF members claim only ANC supporters are being hired at the construction site. They said they had to submit ID’s, and were told only ANC supporters were being hired.

ANC members on the sidelines were heckling EFF supporters screaming they were smoking too much dagga, and were crazy.

Police are on scene.

24 April, 9.29am: Residents will continue protest

Following an attempt to protest on the R114, residents are now gathering on a field close to the road to continue protesting poor service in the township.

Police was able to stop residents blocking the road earlier this morning.

24 April, 9.24am: Residents try to block the R114

Just before 9am on 24 April residents took to the street in an effort to block one of the main arterial routes into the beleaguered township.