SEE PHOTOS: Residents of Diepkloof demand RDP houses

SAPS fired rubber bullets at the protesters.

May 19, 2017

Mandlakayise Hlatshwayo 1 minute read

The housing crisis in South Africa has come into the spotlight again. Diepkloof residents, frustrated at the perceived lack of assistance from the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) about the housing crisis, took to the streets in protest at the slow allocation of houses.

According to them, CoJ has not provided any feedback regarding houses applied for since 1996.

Ntando Sibeko, a resident, said, “The closing of the streets is just a demonstration of how angry we are. More will come.”

Residents have barricaded streets with rocks and burning tyres. Immink Road, which leads to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is the most heavily affected, as it provides access to the taxi rank, creating transportation difficulties for commuters needing to travel to work, as well as patients needing to get to the hospital.

#DiepkloofProtest residents out in their numbers, demanding RDP houses from govt. @IOL @ReporterStar pic.twitter.com/zcxiwptFUr

— Khanyisile (@Khanyi_Seele) May 19, 2017

Police have responded to protesters with rubber bullets, with many protesters incurring injuries as a result of being fired upon.

Member of Parliament, Tshepo Mhlongo said, “Soon the mayor will unveil the housing waiting list where everyone will know where they are on the list. We call for patience.”

Jolidee Matongo, of the ANC, explained that the protests are not ANC-led or instigated. He said, “DA must just deliver on their promises. The community has every right to protest and practice their democratic rights.”

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