Situation remains tense at Hamaanskraal eviction protest
“Community members are barricading the roads but police are controlling the situation”. WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES. THESE IMAGES MIGHT UPSET SENSITIVE READERS.
Protests over evictions resumed in Hammanskraal on Tuesday, with locals barricading the main entrance road.
Hammanskraal police spokesperson warrant officer Sello Mangena said motorists had to use alternative routes.
“We have deployed our members from the public order policing division as well as police from local police stations to bring order,” Mangena said.
Two people were killed when people resisted being removed from Sekampaneng, where they had built shacks illegally.
Both were reportedly members of the group of security guards hired to demolish the shacks. One was burnt to death and the second victim was hit on the head with a sharp object.
Meanwhile Mangena said police have arrested five people for murder, malicious damage to property and public violence.
One of the protesters apparently pulled a gun on journalists, threatening to beat them up if they did not move away.
Situation is bad in #Hammanskraal One resident who has been drinking pulled out a gun on a journalist. pic.twitter.com/O4rt4VtT0Q
— Karabo Ngoepe (@karabongoepe1) May 24, 2016
#Hammanskraal Protesters now chasing journalists away. They say we are disturbing them and they will beat us up @News24
— Karabo Ngoepe (@karabongoepe1) May 24, 2016
Tshwane Metro Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba condemned the killings in a statement.
“Violence is never a solution. The Tshwane metro police department would like to send condolences to the families who were robbed of their loved ones.”
Mahamba said the evictions were carried out after a court order was obtained against the community.
“When a few structures were demolished, members of the public started attacking them by throwing stones and petrol bombs and they then made an operational decision to withdraw,” he said.
“Two members of the service provider were killed and six more injured. Several vehicles were burned.”
Mahamba said the shacks were torn down by the metro police, police and what was described as a service provider.
He could not be immediately reached for further detail.
WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES. THESE IMAGES MIGHT UPSET SENSITIVE READERS.
Also read:
Three buses torched during protest
Police confirm death in Hammanskraal eviction
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