Hundreds of angry protesters from Reeston pelted stones at vehicles travelling between Mdantsane and East London on Friday night over delays in service delivery.
This was the third protest in the area in the past week, East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said.
Police were called in on Friday evening as the protesters closed the Mdantsane Access Road.
They are demanding street lights, low cost houses, as well as tarred roads.
“Vehicles were stoned but no injuries were reported,” Mqala said.
Motorist Malibongwe Sali, who was travelling along the road at the time, said he saw burning tyres on the road, before a large crowd emerged from “nowhere”.
“The next minute stones were thrown in our direction and we had to turn back towards Dice township to avoid having our vehicles damaged,” said Sali.
A taxi driver, who identified himself as Zandi, said his mini-bus was nearly torched. He had to stop when he realised he had a flat tyre, while travelling along the route.
“I was trying to check what was happening on one of my tyres when someone threw a burning object at my car, but fortunately nothing happened. I drove away immediately thereafter,” he said.
The blockading of the road disrupted many people’s day, including Rena’s Farm residents, who had to be dropped off in Dice township and were left to walk 15km to their homes.
Masisi Banqo, a security guard from Rena’s Farm, said she had to walk through bush to reach her home.
“We understand that taxi drivers cannot risk their lives by driving through this chaos. But our greatest fear is being raped by thugs,” said Banqo.
Reeston resident Bhutana Dyani said he supported the protesters plight.
“What they are demanding is valid. We need people who are working for us, not people who are working to feed their own stomachs. People have been calling for street lights on our roads but the people in power don’t care,” said Dyani.
Mqala said when the police arrived at the scene, the protesters fled into nearby bushes.
No arrests were made.
She said motorist travelling between East London and Mdantsane on the N2, the old King William’s Town road and the Mdantsane Access Road should be careful of rubble left behind by the protesters.
“We will monitor the road and those caught will face charges of public violence,” she said. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Chaos as cars stoned, tyres burnt by crowd
This was the third protest in the area in the past week, East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said.
Police were called in on Friday evening as the protesters closed the Mdantsane Access Road.
They are demanding street lights, low cost houses, as well as tarred roads.
“Vehicles were stoned but no injuries were reported,” Mqala said.
Motorist Malibongwe Sali, who was travelling along the road at the time, said he saw burning tyres on the road, before a large crowd emerged from “nowhere”.
“The next minute stones were thrown in our direction and we had to turn back towards Dice township to avoid having our vehicles damaged,” said Sali.
A taxi driver, who identified himself as Zandi, said his mini-bus was nearly torched. He had to stop when he realised he had a flat tyre, while travelling along the route.
“I was trying to check what was happening on one of my tyres when someone threw a burning object at my car, but fortunately nothing happened. I drove away immediately thereafter,” he said.
The blockading of the road disrupted many people’s day, including Rena’s Farm residents, who had to be dropped off in Dice township and were left to walk 15km to their homes.
Masisi Banqo, a security guard from Rena’s Farm, said she had to walk through bush to reach her home.
“We understand that taxi drivers cannot risk their lives by driving through this chaos. But our greatest fear is being raped by thugs,” said Banqo.
Reeston resident Bhutana Dyani said he supported the protesters plight.
“What they are demanding is valid. We need people who are working for us, not people who are working to feed their own stomachs. People have been calling for street lights on our roads but the people in power don’t care,” said Dyani.
Mqala said when the police arrived at the scene, the protesters fled into nearby bushes.
No arrests were made.
She said motorist travelling between East London and Mdantsane on the N2, the old King William’s Town road and the Mdantsane Access Road should be careful of rubble left behind by the protesters.
“We will monitor the road and those caught will face charges of public violence,” she said. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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