Must read: Avoid Albertina Sisulu at all costs, major protest action
Motorists urged to use alternative routes
Motorists are urged to avoid Albertina Sisulu Road between the Afrisam premises and Houtkapper Street in Florida if possible, as angry residents have blocked off the road.
The situation became volatile after an attempt was made by officers of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and a number of Housing Department officials to evict the illegal land invaders. “Land invasion took place at Jerusalem informal settlement, at the old Roodepoort Rugby Club. We tried to take down the shacks, but were met with a hostile environment as the invaders started hurling stones at us. The team is awaiting assistance from the police, as without the Public Order Police (POP), it becomes a dangerous situation. As it is, the attempt to evict has led to Albertina Sisulu Road being closed by the invaders,” said Bubu Xaba, the Housing Department’s communications officer.
Initial article: Florida falls prey to illegal land invasions
A concerned business owner, who wished to stay anonymous for safety reasons, said that they had to ask permission to leave the area. “We were literally taken hostage by the protesting crowd, as our business is right in the middle of the area that was closed off. I had to evacuate my staff members as it was very unsafe. I had to go and plead with the crowd to allow us to leave, and eventually they agreed. One of the protesters even told me that it would be better if we left,” she said.
She was very concerned about the situation, especially because they were not informed by the JMPD officers who closed the road and redirected traffic earlier, about the exact extent of the situation. “I do not know if we will even have a business left tomorrow, we are suffering huge losses because of this,” she said worriedly. She added that the protesters – all youngsters – were tearing down traffic lights and burning everything they could lay their hands on. “By the time we left, everything was burning,” she said sadly.
According to her, one of the protesters told her that someone sold them pieces of the land last week. “They said this person told them that it was DA land, and they could buy stands for R75. Now they want what they paid for,” she said.
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