Shack demolition protest closes road

THE demolition of shacks illegally built on municipal land in Mayville sparked a violent protest on the N2 highway heading south just after Spaghetti Junction which caused a major traffic jam yesterday.

Protesters blocked the freeway with debris and burning tyres, threatening motorists who forced their way through the crowd.

Metro police received complaints about the blockage at about 11.40am. They cordoned off the left lane for about 40 minutes while talking to protest leaders. The N2 was reopened after an hour, easing traffic backed up as far as the Clare Estate bridge.

Protest leader Sbongile Zondi said after the latest flash floods, shacks built on the river bank were destroyed, which was reported to the nowformer councillor for the area.

She said the councillor said they could temporarily build shacks on any safe land near the settlement and their matter would be attended to after the municipal elections.

“People started building and on Saturday municipal security came and destroyed the shacks. After they had left people rebuilt their structures and today they returned and demolished again.

“There was no other way we could have voiced our plight because whenever we have proper communication with the municipality they do not pay attention. It is only when we cause havoc that they open their ears,” she said.

After the protest, municipal officials spoke to protesters and took Zondi and other leaders to the city hall to discuss the matter.

City spokeswoman Tozi Mthethwa said the city acted against invasion of land whether publicly or privately owned. “We engage with all affected community stakeholders to find a way forward and will do in this case.”