Four hurt in clash between shack-dwellers and BCM

SIX Egoli residents including a fouryear-old boy were injured in clashes with Buffalo City Metro law enforcement officers yesterday afternoon.

Residents said the violence started when officers arrived at the township and started demolishing shacks. When asked why the officers opened fire with rubber bullets, they added.

But BCM spokesman Thandy Matebese said only empty, partly built shacks were demolished and the officers defended themselves when the crowd became violent.

One resident, George Peacock, said he was standing in front of his shack when he was shot at close range. “That officer was like a pitbull, he was aggressive. I was unarmed and my only fault was asking what they were doing and why. He just shot at me,” Peacock said.

A woman who identified herself only as Nastassia said a four-year-old boy she was carrying on her back was struck on the arm by a rubber bullet.

“I am waiting for his mother to come home from work. He has been crying from the pain,” she said.

Chislin Gysman was hit on his arm before his shack was destroyed.

This was the second time in as many weeks that law enforcement officers demolished shacks in Egoli.

Two weeks ago residents marched to the Fynbos home of their councillor Irene Brauns because they believed the officers had been sent by her. They demanded she step down and accused her of failing the people.

This time residents demonstrated by burning tyres and cardboard boxes along Black Road, causing traffic disruptions.

BCM Sanco member Doreen Ruiters said Brauns had to go because she was causing problems in the community.

“Young boys were thrown into the back of vans because they were taking videos of what the officers were doing,” an angry Ruiters said.

Brauns could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.

Fire fighters, police and an ambulance were called to the scene.

Police spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said different police units including the airwing had responded.

“The

police

chopper

was

in

the area to monitor the situation.

“When we arrived we stabilised the situation and made sure that the injured received the medical treatment they needed and others were taken to Frere (Hospital).

“I can confirm that we found several spent cartridges at the scene,” Marais said.

BCM spokesman Matebese the crowd had become violent.

“The crowd which had gathered became aggressive and threw stones, bottles and planks at the law enforcement officers, damaging one of the law enforcement vehicles in the process.

“Law enforcement used rubber bullets to defend themselves, and to create time for them [the officers] to withdraw from the area,” Matebese said. —

said