Squatters protest against ‘looming’ evictions

About 100 disgruntled residents at an informal settlement in Orange Farm blocked a number of roads, including the R558 near the Golden Highway, yesterday in protest against looming evictions.

Protesting residents hold pangas as community leaders negotiate with Public Order Police on the R558 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg on 4 December 2017. Residents protested against evictions rumoured to occur this week. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia

Many of the residents had recently moved to the area from a settlement in Unaville, where Red Ants carried out an eviction order which ended violently as scores of dwellers took to the streets earlier this year.

Protesters barricaded the Golden Highway as well as Link Road with burning debris and rocks. Saps and Johannesburg Metro police officers used rubber bullets to disperse the people, who were throwing rocks at motorists and burning tyres and brandishing pangas and other makeshift weapons. Some children were seen fleeing to a nearby church.

: Protesting residents shout and dance during a blockade of the R558 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg on 4 December 2017. Residents protested against evictions rumoured to occur this week. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia

: Protesting residents shout and dance during a blockade of the R558 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg on 4 December 2017. Residents protested against evictions rumoured to occur this week. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia

: Protesting residents shout and dance during a blockade of the R558 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg on 4 December 2017. Residents protested against evictions rumoured to occur this week. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia

: Protesting residents shout and dance during a blockade of the R558 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg on 4 December 2017. Residents protested against evictions rumoured to occur this week. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia

: A protesting resident holds up a panga during a blockade of the R558 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg on 4 December 2017. Residents protested against evictions rumoured to occur this week. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia

: Photo for illustrative purposes only.

: Protesting residents hold pangas as community leaders negotiate with Public Order Police on the R558 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg on 4 December 2017. Residents protested against evictions rumoured to occur this week. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia

: Protesting residents blockade the R558 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg on 4 December 2017. Residents protested against evictions rumoured to occur this week. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia

: Protesting residents hold up shells used earler in the morning to disperse them on the middle of the R558 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg on 4 December 2017. Residents protested against evictions rumoured to occur this week. They also allege that live rounds were used to disperse the residents. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia

: Men shout from on top of a shack in the middle of the R558 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg on 4 December 2017. Residents protested against evictions rumoured to occur this week. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia

: A man climbs on top of a shack in the middle of the R558 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg on 4 December 2017. Residents protested against evictions rumoured to occur this week. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia