Protesters clash with police in Mariannridge

ROCKS were hurled overhead as angry protesters tried to push back against the heavily armed police forces lining Milky Way in Mariannridge.

The situation grows more volatile as each day passes and the protesters conditions are not met.

“The police have been shooting at us the whole afternoon,” cried one woman as the Highway Mail was swarmed by people wanting to tell their story.

A few long-time residents of Mariannridge stepped forward to direct the media into a quiet alcove off Mercury Street.

Hours may have passed since tear gas was hurled into random homes in the area, but it still clung to the air, eyes watering in response.

“My children were playing outside when they shot at the window. The tear gas canister smashed my window and landed inside my home. I have a four-year-old. They (police) were just launching them in all directions. My children were playing outside,” stressed Fareida Gilden, a concerned mother.

ICYMI: WATCH: Crompton Hospital is a no-go due to protest action

Michelle Norman, a 31-year-old who has grown up in Mariannridge, explained that the barricades along Milky Lane were set up as a means to grab the attention of those in power.

“It started as a peaceful protest on Friday,” she said. “It was non-violent. We wanted to hand over a memorandum to the relevant departments to get us our housing that was promised. We were told the building would start in December 2016, then again in March and again in July. If you go and look at the land, nothing has started.”

Also read: N2 north gridlocked as tow truck drivers protest

The residents said their animosity was stirred up when a group of foreign nationals and people from the Eastern Cape began building informal housing on a piece of environmentally protected land.

Nico Stuart who was born in the area said he lives in a two-bedroom home with four generations.

“We were told that a portion of the land we wanted was environmentally protected. We are fine with that. But then it was invaded by people not from here and they took the land,” he said.

Leonie Hainies, a member of the project steering committee, admitted the residents had reached a halt in negotiations. “We, as the committee, did a census and found we need 500 homes. We were told they could only accommodate 350 but would find the provisions to make sure we were given the full amount. It has been five years and still nothing. We were told by the head of the department that it would be fast-tracked but not a single person has given us feedback.”

In the clash with the police, a 12-year-old was shot in the leg and needed urgent medical attention. A man carrying a two-year-old child was allegedly tear-gassed and a few elderly residents, not taking part in the protest, were said to have been tear-gassed in their homes.

“We will not stop the protest until our demands are met!” said a passionate Norman.

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.