UPDATE: Police fire rubber bullets at protesters on the R55

2 December; 3.20pm

Journalist Thandi Ntobela is on the scene and said police have closed off the R55 at the corner of R55 and R562 due to the protest action.

Protesters were burning tyres and throwing rocks on Mthatha Street and Metro police are turning motorists away from the area.

2 December; 2.12 pm

According to the Centurion Rekord, Police fired rubber bullets when angry protesters tried to stop the arrest of a community leader.

Olievenhoutbosch residents are protesting the re-settlement of Mooiplaats informal settlement on a vacant piece of land in the area.

An angry mob reportedly surrounded police and stones were thrown at officers and their vehicles.

After attempts by police to remove the protesters from a barricaded intersection, police resorted to firing shots at the stubborn crowd while also using a water cannon.

Motorists are urged to avoid the R55 and use alternate routes.

2 December; 7.59 am

The R55 in Olievenhoutbosch was reportedly blocked off by protesters on 2 December.

Olievenhoutbosch residents are reportedly protesting to stop the planned relocation of people from Mooiplaats informal settlement to vacant land in Olievenhoutbosch in Ward 77.

Residents and the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) also protested about this issue on the R55 on 9 November.

Police are now reportedly clearing the roadway of debris and preparing to open the R55 soon.

However residents are still urged to avoid this area if possible.

Read about the proposal to move Mooiplaats informal settlement to vacant land in Olievenhoutbosch

Also read Olievenhoutbosch takes a stand against more residents

https://twitter.com/TrafficSA/status/671907028969889793