They told Midrand Reporter that the councillor has let them down.
They said, “We were promised RDP houses over 10 years ago, but we know some people who have been given the land we were supposed to be given.”
Residents allege that the councillor is selling the land allocated for RDP for R10 000 to each willing buyer, to build their homes. Residents barricaded roads with burning tyres and rocks, under the watchful eye of the South African police present.
Residents then moved on to camp outside the Olievenhoutbosch Police Station where the councillor, Cedric Tsela, was said to be having a meeting with the police. When approached by the paper, Tsela said he had meetings all day, but would definitely give comment once he is free.
While the protest took place on the R55, a few kilometres away, on the same road, a bakkie collided with a motorcyclist, killing the cyclist on impact. Tshwane Metro police spokesperson senior superintendent Isaac Mahamba could not confirm if the accident was definitely a result of the protest, as the cause of the accident is still being investigated. “What we know is what eyewitnesses told us; that a bakkie made an illegal u-turn to avoid the traffic leading to the protest and when the bakkie turned it collided with a motorcyclist.”
Firefighters put out the bakkie and the bike, which instantly caught fire. Mahamba said four people who were on the bakkie managed to escape with minor injuries.
Eyewitnesses at the scene said traffic was a nightmare due to the protest and motorists had a difficult time manoeuvring their way.
Olievenhoutbosch Police Station spokesperson Constable Malefo Makena said, “Five protesters have been arrested for public violence. They are currently being held at the station where they will be charged.”
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