Vandalism erupts during land grab in Mamelodi

Two trucks and a bakkie were set alight during a land grab in Mamelodi near Baviaanspoort on Tuesday.

Bodyguard United security owner Wesley Roux said the violence started on Monday, when residents were forced off private land they had illegally occupied, Rekord East reported.

He said the issue between the land owner and the illegal settlers started over 10 years ago but intensified in the past few weeks.

“Residents say they have been landless for years and accused the land owner of owning empty property,” said Roux.

Roux said the settlers set up shacks on the land in June.

“On Monday, the owner hired a construction company to build a wall after demolishing the residents’ shacks.”

“This only infuriated the situation and as a result the construction workers’ trucks and a bakkie was set alight.”

Roux said a truck driver was assaulted during the protest, but this could not be confirmed.

Roux said his company was called to calm the situation.

No comment was received from police spokesperson Sergeant Maleka at the time of going to press.

– Caxton News Service

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