UPDATE: Housing issue spark protest in Orlando West
DA calls for calm as residents go on a rampage over housing. "Technical teams are repairing the damaged signalling cables vandalised during service delivery protests in New Canada Soweto."
Traffic flow on the Soweto Highway was disrupted when Residents of Mzimhlophe in Orlando West embarked on a protest over housing on Monday morning.
@metrorailgp technical teams are repairing the damaged signalling cables vandalised during service delivery protests in New Canada Soweto. pic.twitter.com/0jZqvj2YYW
— lillieza (@the1nonlylln) March 20, 2017
Eight people arrested for public violence, during Mzimhlophe service delivery protest. #JoziFmNews M.M pic.twitter.com/jjMbhqZ6DD
— Jozi FM (@jozifm) March 20, 2017
The railway line was also barricaded by angry protesters who want to be allocated houses. The protestors are crying foul over the eviction of illegal land invaders from Mzimhlophe by the City of Joburg.
Johannes Masilo, Orlando Community Policing Forum, claims those who tried to occupy land in #Mzimhlophe, Soweto this morning not locals. pic.twitter.com/2rCLF5PXFT
— Michael 🍏 (@TheMikeAppel) March 20, 2017
Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP) Tsepo Mhlongo condemned illegal land invasion and called for calm.
Cartridge at Mzimhlophe hostel. Protesters ran into a nearby veld.Soweto Highway reopened. pic.twitter.com/FS67JLsQGO
— Bafana Nzimande (@nzimandebafana) March 20, 2017
“The City of Johannesburg is taking steps, through its low-income housing programme, to ensure that residents are given access to housing as a matter of urgency.
Four policemen going inside Mzimhlophe hostel. They are firing rubber bullets. pic.twitter.com/AkNggUfsMx
— Bafana Nzimande (@nzimandebafana) March 20, 2017
“In order for the stated plans to be realised, residents need to refrain from violence and allow the City to proceed with the full implementation of its housing programme,” said Mhlongo.
The issue of illegal land invasion is not new in Mzimhlophe. In 2015, some residents occupied housing units which had not yet been allocated.
https://twitter.com/SowetoUrban/status/843715847562629120
For the latest news follow us on Facebook and Twitter or Westside News
