According to EMPD spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago, a violent protest where more than 300 residents of Homeseekers informal settlement in Wattville participated, erupted on June 17 at around lunchtime.
The protest was allegedly over houses they were promised in Cloverdene.
The protest started on June 15 at around 4pm with the protesters claiming that the houses promised to them were already being occupied by people who are not from their settlement.
According to Kgasago, they wreaked havoc in the area by barricading streets with rocks and burning tyres.
Fortunately, after the ward councillor had promised them a meeting on June 17 with the MMC for Human Settlement, Lesiba Mpya, the situation was normalised and they dispersed peacefully.
Kgasago said due to failure of Mpya not attending the Sunday meeting, the protesters were infuriated and attacked the councillor as well as the police that were present.
They further demanded that the councillor accompany them to Cloverdene to prove their case of the occupied houses.
They then marched through Benoni CBD towards Cloverdene.
Backup comprising of both EMPD and SAPS Public Order Policing Unit blocked the protesters in the open veld at Tom Jones and Snake roads.
Kgasago said 24 protesters were arrested and charged at Actonville Police Station with public violence.
They were expected to appear in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on June 18.
Also read: Seven out of 16 EMPD vehicles are non-operational
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