Protest erupts at Gugulethu Everest informal settlement
A violent protest erupted in the Gugulethu/Everest informal settlement today, resulting in police firing rubber bullets at the angry crowd.
Furious residents gathered at the corner of Welgedacht and Enstrada roads at about noon and the EMPD and SAPS were called in to quell the protest.
The residents blockaded the roads with rocks and burnt tyres.
Officers then tried to address the crowd, but the residents turned violent and started attacking the officers, throwing rocks at them.The group also threw projectiles at passing vehicles.
Officers had to fire rubber bullets at the crowd to disperse them.
The crowd then ran into the informal settlement, but continued attacking officers.
According to one of the residents, the community’s anger was sparked after a woman, who had just arrived from the Eastern Cape, was attacked and robbed by criminals in the early hours of the morning.
“The woman screamed and her son ran out to help his mother.
“The thugs disappeared and moments later they came back, shot the boy, who died on the scene, and the mother and sister of the boy were injured and taken to the Far East Rand Hospital for treatment.
“We are not safe here and our community is tired of crime as a lot of things happen in this area, but the police do nothing to help us,” says the resident who asked to remain anonymous for his safety.
He says that if police cannot do anything then they should rather call the army or bring in the K9 Unit so that illegal guns can be removed from the area.
Another resident says: “Police say that they patrol this area but we do not see them.
“The community is tired of living in fear of their lives because of criminals.”
Soon afterwards, officers cleared the road and vehicles were able to move.
EMPD spokesperson Clifford Shongwe says he heard residents were complaining that police don’t assist them when they report cases.
“It seems as though the protest is due to residents being tried of criminal activities taking place in this area, and them claiming that nothing is being done to help them.
“Our officers were the first respondents on the scene as they saw the roads being barricaded.
“Officers will keep a watch on the scene.”
Springs SAPS could not be reached for comment.
Three arrests have been made and cases of public violence have been opened at the Springs Police Station.
