WATCH: Residents protest over informal settlements ‘shot’ in Elandspark
Tensions escalated as law enforcement fired what appeared to be rubber bullets at demonstrators, with reports of residents sustaining gunshot wounds.
Residents of Elandspark took to the streets on October 11, barricading roads with rocks and burning tyres to express their frustrations.
It is believed residents are calling for the removal of informal settlements in the Lindokhule, Electron, and Springbok areas, which have been declared illegal by the City of Johannesburg.
A video circulating on social media from the protests shows law enforcement firing what appears to be rubber bullets at the demonstrators, causing protesters to flee in panic.
Residents protest over informal settlements 'shot' in Elandspark pic.twitter.com/aoIs7sDYPR
— Southern Courier SA (@courier_sa) October 12, 2024
It is alleged that some residents sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.
Others took to the Facebook Moffat View Crime Reports community group to share claims of injuries from the clashes. One user reported being shot during the protest earlier this morning.
In other news, residents of Wards 56 and 57 held a peaceful protest at the South Hills Reservoir and Rand Water offices following an 8-day water crisis.
Councillors Michael Crichton (Ward 56) and Faeeza Chame (Ward 57) voiced their concerns about Joburg Water and Rand Water’s lack of response to the community’s urgent pleas for assistance.
They highlighted the severe hardships residents are facing, including school closures, elderly individuals struggling to transport heavy water buckets, and overflowing toilets due to insufficient water truck deliveries.
“Clinics have been forced to close because of the water shortage, and many families cannot afford to purchase water. Additionally, the distributed water is often unclean, leaving residents without proper baths or showers for days,” they stated.
