Officer injured in Port Elizabeth protests
A POLICE officer was injured after being struck with a rock when about 300 Port Elizabeth residents set up burning barricades across the M14 at Izinyoka, Kwadwesi, leading to Kleinskool and the R75.
They were aggrieved at the Nelson Mandela Metro land invasion team for breaking down housing structures at Izinyoka.
Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said the special operation started at about 9pm on Wednesday, but by 1am yesterday angry residents started barricading the Old Uitenhage Road and M14 with rocks, rubble and burning tyres.
“On arrival of SAPS public order police unit (Pops), the police were (pelted) with stones while they cleared and opened the roads again.
“A public violence case was opened by the police for this incident.
“By 5.30am these protesters also blocked the R75 with burning rubble and tyres and Pops again needed to intervene and open the road.
“By 7.30am, the M14 was once again closed off by the protesters with rocks and burning tyres, but the R75 was opened for traffic between Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage.”
Beetge said a group of about 200 to 300 protesters demanded to be addressed by the local ward councillor.
He said when the police tried to open the road, the crowd hurled stones at them and set tyres alight.
Beetge said the police had to use a water cannon, stun grenades and rubber rounds to disperse the group.
Yesterday afternoon, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality continued to demolish illegal structures. The police are also investigating a case of damaging infrastructure.
Motherwell cluster commander Major-General Dawie Rabie has ordered a full investigation and said arrests were expected soon.
“We cannot allow our roads to be damaged this way and the lives of our road users to be put in danger. Even the safety of our policemen and women are threatened by these rock throwing protesters.”