R59 highway reopened after Sicelo protest

The R59 highway was reopened just after noon on Thursday after law enforcement appeared to have regained control of a violent community protest by residents from the Sicelo informal settlement in Meyerton.

The usually busy highway was closed to traffic for days since the protest started last week on Thursday.

Irate residents have been demanding new houses, claiming Gauteng human settlements MEC Paul Mashatile promised them houses and other services weeks before the last local government elections.

On Thursday morning, members from the notorious Red Ants were seen manning the highway while a caterpillar was used to clean and remove the rubble and rocks that were used to barricaded parts of the highway.

It is, however, not known how long the highway will remain open, as residents vowed to continue with their protest action until Mashatile comes and addresses them in person.