All hell breaks loose at Protea Glen land grabs

Protea Glen in Soweto became an unlikely battleground in the fight for land yesterday as invaders clashed with residents.

Residents took to the streets to protest in the early hours of the morning, affecting several roads.

They barricaded roads and demanded housing and access to land after another group of people from outside the area apparently attempted to occupy vacant land in the area.

Residents of Protea Glen, Soweto, protest along the R559, 7 May 2018, following an attempted land grab situation in the area. The residents have warned illegal land invaders to stay away from a piece of land near the Soweto suburb. Picture: Michel Bega

“The residents don’t want anyone to come into the area and erect shacks in open spaces next to their houses,” said SA Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubela.

Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd and to clear blocked roads.

Residents of Protea Glen, Soweto, protest along the R559, 7 May 2018. Picture: Michel Bega

“We cleared the roads at 2pm and there was no damage to any property,” he said.

Makhubela said police would continue to monitor the area, as the crowd had remained on the pavements.

A stun grenade explodes as police try to disperse protesting residents of Protea Glen, Soweto, 7 May 2018, following an attempted land grab situation in the area. Picture: Michel Bega

Human settlements MEC Dikgang Uhuru Moiloa called on government representatives to meet to resolve land and housing problems.

“Government representatives in all spheres should be aware that they are elected by people to serve them,” he said. Uhuru added that he would meet with all the Gauteng mayors in a bid to resolve the issue.

Also read: Land invasions a growing concern for City of Johannesburg

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