Zandspruit peaceful but dirty today
JMPD superintendent Wandile Mrubata confirmed that the area was still quiet and said law enforcement would continue to monitor the area for the next couple of days.
Zandspruit remained peaceful on Wednesday, 6 February, following violent protest action the previous day, which saw roads being barricaded with burning tyres.
Law enforcement worked relentlessly yesterday to clear the roads that were affected and bring about peace in the area.
The protest fizzled out before sunset; however, police continued to monitor the area.
JMPD superintendent, Wandile Mrubata, confirmed to the Northsider that the area was still quiet and said law enforcement would continue to monitor the area for the next couple of days.
Ward 114 councillor, Victor Mafinya, criticised those behind the protest, saying, “We cannot allow land invasion to take place on that land because it has been identified for development by the City of Johannesburg”.
Read more here:
https://roodepoortnorthsider.co.za/289696/watch-law-enforcement-clearing-road-huge-protest-action/
Mafinya indicated that plans for development on Plot 84 (the targeted land) were at an advanced stage and that he had met with Eskom to discuss the progress of the electrification programme.
He also alluded to the fact that the protest was influenced by a few individuals with their own personal agendas. “This is done by a few individuals who called themselves the Voice of the People. One of them, in my understanding, has benefited from the previous land invasion but still pushes for more land grabs,” Mafinya explained.
While most people thought the EFF had a hand in the protest which saw the closure of Beyers Naudé Drive with burning tyres, a representative of the party in Zandspruit, Gift Mkasi, distanced it from any involvement in the protest. “The EFF was not involved in this protest or land grab, because we know that land is earmarked for development,” Mkasi clarified.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at northside@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
