Major roads in Port Elizabeth’s upmarket Walmer suburb have been closed off after protesting community members from a sprawling informal settlement in the area took to the streets for a second day.
Motorists were being stoned as angry township residents threatened to bring Walmer to a complete standstill on Thursday during their protest for RDP houses.
The suburb is a mixed-use area: Home to some of the city’s most expensive properties‚ there is also an established township as well as an informal settlement in addition to small business premises.
Protesters blocked Heugh Road between 8th and 10th avenues as well as 5th Avenue and Victoria Drive. Main Road Walmer between 6th Avenue and 10th Avenue were also closed off.
On Wednesday‚ residents of Area Q blocked off 7th‚ 8th‚ 9th and 10th avenues‚ Main Road and Heugh Road with burning tyres and debris‚ bringing traffic to a halt.
“SAPS members have been deployed since 05:45 today to monitor disruptive actions and protests in the Walmer Location‚ Port Elizabeth‚” Eastern Cape police said in a statement.
“Since early this morning various groups of community members started gathering at different areas around the Walmer Location‚ destructing the flow of traffic by burning tyres. Victoria Road‚ 8th to 11th Avenue and 5th Avenue have been closed; and two private vehicles have been reported damaged as the community members were also reported to be throwing stones at passing vehicles. The Public Order Police‚ Tactical Response Teams and local police members have been deployed to bring the situation under control.
“A warning has been issued to protesters not to endanger the lives of people and to cease their violent actions of throwing stones at police vehicles and other road users‚” police said.
A 36-year-old man was arrested for public violence‚ leading to a separate protest.
“A group of almost 500 protesters have gathered at Walmer SAPS demanding the release of the suspect and as a result the road in front of Walmer SAPS (Main Road between 8th and 9th Avenue) has been closed‚” police said.
Police in Walmer were trying to calm the crowd while awaiting a representative from the Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality (NMMM) to address the community on their demands.
PE protesters stoning cars‚ blocking suburb roads
Motorists were being stoned as angry township residents threatened to bring Walmer to a complete standstill on Thursday during their protest for RDP houses.
The suburb is a mixed-use area: Home to some of the city’s most expensive properties‚ there is also an established township as well as an informal settlement in addition to small business premises.
Protesters blocked Heugh Road between 8th and 10th avenues as well as 5th Avenue and Victoria Drive. Main Road Walmer between 6th Avenue and 10th Avenue were also closed off.
On Wednesday‚ residents of Area Q blocked off 7th‚ 8th‚ 9th and 10th avenues‚ Main Road and Heugh Road with burning tyres and debris‚ bringing traffic to a halt.
“SAPS members have been deployed since 05:45 today to monitor disruptive actions and protests in the Walmer Location‚ Port Elizabeth‚” Eastern Cape police said in a statement.
“Since early this morning various groups of community members started gathering at different areas around the Walmer Location‚ destructing the flow of traffic by burning tyres. Victoria Road‚ 8th to 11th Avenue and 5th Avenue have been closed; and two private vehicles have been reported damaged as the community members were also reported to be throwing stones at passing vehicles. The Public Order Police‚ Tactical Response Teams and local police members have been deployed to bring the situation under control.
“A warning has been issued to protesters not to endanger the lives of people and to cease their violent actions of throwing stones at police vehicles and other road users‚” police said.
A 36-year-old man was arrested for public violence‚ leading to a separate protest.
“A group of almost 500 protesters have gathered at Walmer SAPS demanding the release of the suspect and as a result the road in front of Walmer SAPS (Main Road between 8th and 9th Avenue) has been closed‚” police said.
Police in Walmer were trying to calm the crowd while awaiting a representative from the Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality (NMMM) to address the community on their demands.
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