Calm restored after protest targeting LIV Village
Protesters blocked one of the roads in the area and damaged a factory within the village.
CALM has been restored at LIV Village in Cottonlands after protest action rocked the foster care establishment this morning. Verulam SAPS spokesman Capt Mark Prakasim said earlier more than 200 protesters had stormed the main gates of the village. The village is a non-profit organisation committed to uplifting the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa. The village, is just outside Cottonlands, an informal settlement a few kilometres from Verulam.
“It is believed the protesters were angry that people working within the village were being employed from outside. They had blocked part of the road with burning tyres. They damaged the main and sabotaged a factory. Calm has been restored and the protesters have moved on. No one was injured in the protest and no arrests were made,” he said.
Attempts to get hold of LIV Village were unsuccessful at the time of going online, however a tweet sent out by the organisation founded by Tich Smith stated that everybody was safe. A WhatsApp message has been sent out calling for prayers for the children and people of the village.
https://twitter.com/mikepilav/status/866549975299350528
Please pray for LIV today. There is a strike taking place, outside the gates of LIV. All children, mothers, staff and volunteers are safe!
— LIV Village (@LIV_Village) May 22, 2017
#AATrafficDBN Verulam PROTEST ACTION in Cottonlands – EXPECT DELAYS – Both Ways
— MyAATraffic (@MyAATraffic) May 22, 2017
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