Tyres set alight in Walmer protest
HUNDREDS of irate Walmer residents set tyres ablaze as they took to the streets yesterday to air their concerns over the high rate of crime in the community.
The group also accused police of turning a blind eye to crime and often taking too long to arrive at crime scenes, leaving victims vulnerable.
Heugh Road, between 7th and 8th avenues, was closed by toyi-toying residents.
Noluthando Mayi, a 28year-old mother, recalled how thugs broke down her door using a panga early in the morning two weeks ago.
“Even now, I do not know how I survived without being raped when the two men entered my house.
“They took my takkies and cellphone,” she said.
After she phoned the police, Mayi said, they only arrived three hours later.
“We are here to announce that we will take the law into our own hands because the police are not helping us,” she said.
Martha Jonas, 25, said people were prisoners in their own homes.
“If the police do nothing, we will be forced to retaliate and defend ourselves,” Jonas warned
Captain Johan Rheeder said: “We are doing the best we can to curb crime.”
He said 30 officers had been deployed at the protest.
Speaking through a loudhailer, community leaders urged protesters to remain peaceful and tried to prevent them from burning tyres.
Community leader Wandile Gxekwa said the protest was meant to be peaceful and that the action highlighted social ills faced on a daily basis.
“We are here to make a statement to the police. We are robbed by criminals. We plead with them to protect us,” he said. As some fires were cleared up and police vehicles deployed, officers loaded tyres into a van to prevent them from being set alight.
The protesters later dispersed.