Housing protest prompts road closure in Steenberg
City of Cape Town law enforcement officials are on scene monitoring the demonstration.
CAPE TOWN - A housing protest has flared up in Steenberg resulting in road closures.
City of Cape Town law enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason says officials are on scene monitoring the demonstration.
“Protest action related to housing started up in Military Road, Steenberg. Tyres were set alight and the road has been closed. Law enforcement services are on the scene.”
There have been numerous demonstrations in various parts of Cape Town in recent months, with residents demanding land and housing.
Some of the areas which saw these protests include Parkwood, Mitchells Plain and Vrygrond.
#ThembalethuProtest George municipality's Chantel Edwards-Klose says some of the GoGeorge Bus routes have also been affected as some drivers in Thembalethu have been unable to get to work. @MoniqueMortlock Images: Supplied by resident pic.twitter.com/XAQeSRzFAI
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 20, 2018
Meanwhile, police will continue monitoring the situation in Thembalethu, George, where there have been protests since Tuesday.
Demonstrators are demanding the municipality improves service delivery and provide water and sanitation services, as well as adequate electricity supply and refuse removal services.
Two cargo trucks were burnt during protests on Tuesday night, while roads were blocked.
The municipality says the Go George bus service, which was hampered by the protest, has returned to normal.
The police’s Malcolm Poje says eight people have been arrested for public violence.
“The situation has stabilised… it still needs to be normalised but our members are maintaining high visibility in the area to contain the situation and act upon if there are any unrests. There are sporadic incidents of stone throwers.”
Thembalethu resident Erick Mdaka says those living in the informal settlements feel neglected, even after similar protests last year for better service delivery in Zones 7, 8 & 9. MM
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 20, 2018
Image: Supplied by Erick Mdaka pic.twitter.com/6Ppnmw0mKr
(Edited by Zamangwane Shange)