Diepsloot is currently calm after violent protest action
DIEPSLOOT – Police are on high alert in Diepsloot after violent protest action flared up in the township on Thursday, 23 January.
UPDATE: 9am on 24 January
The situation in Diepsloot seems to be calm this morning, 24 January, with no protesters on site.
This comes after protest action flared up in the township yesterday.
Gauteng provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Mathapelo Peters, said, “No further incidents since yesterday. Police are maintaining visibility and remaining on high alert to make sure no further incidents of violence erupt.”
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23 January: 9.53am
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mawela has called for calm and restraint, and urged members of the public to allow the law to take its course.
This comes after ‘Diepsloot shut-down’ reports on social media about members of the community allegedly planning to boycott foreign nationals in the area. Mawela confirmed that the reason for this protest is attributing to the murder of Detective Oupa Matjie who was fatally shot while in pursuit of suspects on 17 January.
The R511 is currently closed heading towards Diepsloot due to protest action. There's no access to Diepsloot from William Nicol Dr or the N14. Protesters have placed rocks & burning tyres on R511 & Nkonyama Dr. @JoburgMPD officers on scene. pic.twitter.com/66e5qUf8Nz
— AskTheChief01 #BuyaMthetho 🔥 (@David_S_Tembe) January 23, 2020
This morning, 23 January, some of the community members went to the Diepsloot Police Station demanding to see the suspect behind Matjie’s murder. That’s when the protest flared up.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said police officials have been there since the early hours of this morning. “The R511 is totally closed but we are keeping the situation under control. ”
The suspect is expected to appear today before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
