UPDATE: R55 and N14 re-open after protest action
The road has been partially re-opened on the R55 and N14 after residents of Olievenhoutbosch protested about the relocation of Mooiplaats residents.
The road has been partially re-opened after a violent protest that was sparked by the announcement that the Mooiplaats informal settlement would be relocated to Olievenhoutbosch.
Tyres that were burnt and stones were used to block the R55 and N14. Things took s violent turn in the morning, and police had to use rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
“We are still busy cleaning the road so that motorists can use it by Tuesday morning. The road is partially open now,” metro police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba, said.
Mahamba said the violence had ended.
Ward councillor Mahomed Essop told Rekord that the move was necessitated by the fact that some Mooiplaats residents were living next to a dump.
“Some of the people living in the Mooiplaats informal settlement qualified to be moved. This included people who were living right next to a waste dump. Children living in Mooiplaats became sick from living so close to the dump. We are not forcing people to move, they want to move. This is for their own well-being and the health of the children.”
The process to move the Mooiplaats residents to Olievenhoutbosch, which commenced on Monday morning, was met with violence, and necessitated police intervention.
Despite the protest, Essop said the relocation process would continue.
“The Mooiplaats residents’ shacks will be dismantled and rebuilt on the serviced stands they have received. These stands will have all the necessary services, like water and sanitation. Some are still in the process of having the services installed, but in the meantime water tankers and toilets have been provided. These people will then eventually qualify for RDP houses as all the necessary services are in put in place.”
Essop said the process was expected to take two weeks to complete.
Also read:
Protest turns violent in Centurion
R55 protest sparked by housing move
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