Cape protest turns violent

A VIOLENT protest over the provision of housing saw law enforcement authorities and police attacked with petrol bombs and stones in Parkwood, Cape Town, yesterday.

During the confrontation, a teenager was hit in the mouth by a projectile as officers retaliated.

The situation descended into chaos with a petrol station store reportedly damaged and looted. Some roads were closed.

It started off peacefully when members of the community planned to hand over a memorandum to the local councillor about their housing needs on Saturday.

City of Cape Town law enforcement spokesman Wayne Dyason said the group had on Saturday put up pegs and structures in what was initially supposed to be a peaceful protest.

“The city informed them of the illegality of their action but they said they would remove the pegs and structures as soon as the memorandum was handed over. They reneged on this agreement and more people moved in last night‚” he said.

“The city then moved in this morning [yesterday] to remove the pegs and structures and some elements in the community reacted violently.

“Petrol bombs were thrown and officers stoned. The local councillor has also been removed from his property by law enforcement and placed under their protection.”

Dyason confirmed that a 15-year-old boy was struck in the mouth by a projectile after officers reacted to being stoned and pelted with golf balls.

“He was taken to hospital accompanied by his aunt for treatment. The incident will be investigated‚” he said. – TimesLIVE