GALLERY: Protesters hold Moffat View Police Station under siege

CHAOS erupted at Moffat View Police Station as angry South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) Zone 11 members gathered to demand that one of the detectives be fired.

On August 17, protesters brought the station to a standstill, blocking the main entrance with burning tyres, tree branches and rubbish.

The protest came after two elderly women from Rosettenville were evicted from their homes and arrested by a certain detective [name withheld]. Protesters claimed he arrested the women unfairly.

According to the protesters, the eviction of the women should have never happened, because they have nowhere else to stay and they are too old to be in prison.

In addition to demanding the release of the women, the protesters also called for a foreign pastor to be investigated and arrested, as they claimed the pastor was behind the women’s arrest.

Simphiwe Hlafa, Sanco regional Johannesburg spokesperson, alleged that most of the evictions taking place in the Rosettenville area were initiated by this pastor.

“He has Detective [name withheld] on his payroll. This isn’t the first time these ladies have been arrested and they always get arrested by the same police officer because the pastor ordered him to do so.

“This so-called pastor must fall. We can’t have people oppressing our people. This pastor owns many properties in the southern areas. He came here wearing only sandals, but now he owns properties,” said Hlafa.

Protesters said they wouldn’t leave the station until the two women were released.

“Until this police station promises us that they will start serving the community and not criminals, we won’t leave,” said Hlafa.

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JMPD, Booysens, Mondeor and Joburg Central SAPS, as well as the K-9 Unit, were on the scene to monitor the situation. According to Captain Jeff Phora, Moffat View SAPS communications officer, the two women were arrested for going back to a property whereby an eviction order was served and later executed.

 “However, the two women still went back and occupied the property. Meaning they were in contempt of court.           They were further charged with trespassing,” said Phora.

He said the women’s bail application would be heard in the next couple of days.

“The policeman in question doesn’t work for Moffat View SAPS but for a specialised unit. However, the concerns of the protesters will be referred to the relevant people,” added Phora.

After all the commotion had died down, the SAPS and a number of the protesters held a meeting. The protesters tabled their concerns and it was agreed that the police would investigate the allegations against the pastor.

Phora stated that as far as the women are concerned, they would wait for their bail application to be heard.

The COURIER tried contacting the pastor for comment, but he wasn’t available.

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