Daily Sun (August 20 2014) - THE ELECTIONS have come and gone but the protests continue - BIGGER and ANGRIER than before.
Yesterday thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Daveyton . . .
BRINGING THE KASI TO A STANDSTILL!
The housing protest that started on Monday in Daveyton left community members of the township stranded.
By yesterday, all business activity in the big Ekurhuleni kasi had come to a standstill.
All entrances to Daveyton were closed with burning tyres and rubbish bins. Daveyton Mall was closed.
Street vendors had disappeared, worried that protesters might loot as hundreds of angry and armed protesters sang struggle songs and marched up and down Eiselen Road. Taxis were not allowed to leave the rank.
The residents said they have waited for their houses for years but the City of Ekurhuleni has done nothing to take care of the problem.
"We are demanding houses now!" said protester Sbusiso Ntshangase (31).
"I'm a grown up man but I still live in my mother's house with my children. It's embarrassing."
Themba Mashiya (34) said their councillor had run away from her house.
"We are tired of being humiliated. There is a lot of vacant space in Daveyton but every time we go there and put up shacks the Red Ants are called," he said.
"They told us to vote and promised us a better life but they are the ones who live in fancy houses and drive big cars while we live in shacks."
He said residents won't back down until something is done about their living conditions.
"No one will go to work and school, no cars will be allowed to move here," he said.
Jimmy Mavuso (30) said the land the people are chased away from has become a crime hot spot.
"People are being robbed and raped in that space,
"I don't know why they refuse to let us build our shacks there," he said.
Armed police and the EMPD stood by to prevent violence.
Rubber bullets were fired.
Spokesman for the Daveyton SAPS Captain Alfred Nakana said the police will continue to monitor the situation and make sure it is calm.
) Last night a Metro Police spokesman said: "The protest is on hold for now pending a meeting between community leaders and municipal officials.
"We do not know what will happen after the meeting.
"Residents are waiting for their leaders to give them feedback."
He said roads in Daveyton were still blocked with burning tyres, rocks, tree trunks and other objects.
"We are monitoring the situation.
"No arrests have been made and there are no casualties."
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