Police fire at land protesters with rubber bullets
Parkwood, in Cape Town, was on Wednesday again the scene of violent protests over land and housing as residents threw stones at police and other law-enforcement agencies.
According to Wayne Dyason of the City of Cape Town, the protests forced the closure of Prince George Drive in both directions between Dick Burton Road and De Waal roads, as residents attempted to erect structures on vacant land adjacent to the highway.
“Structures are currently being dismantled by the housing contractor,” Dyason said. “A few incidents of stoning of officials occurred. SAPS retaliated by firing nonlethal rounds. The area is saturated with officers from SAPS, Law Enforcement, Metro and Traffic. Situation currently under control.”
The protests erupted a week ago as residents of Parkwood, many of them backyard dwellers, demanded land and houses.
