Kraaifontein housing protest uproar

Protesters took to the streets of Kraaifontein on Tuesday and caused mayhem after their shacks were demolished.

Mense had built informal structures on the field near the Botfontein Road on Thursday.

One of the protesters, a 40-year-old woman, says they’ve had enough of government dragging its feet with housing.

“We feel government wants to do nothing regarding our situation and that is why we put up the hokkies.

“Most of the people were at work when they threw down the hokkies with our belongings inside. What must we do to get houses?” the woman asked.

The protesters looted Cash Crusaders and people could be seen running off with TVs.

Bystanders and businesses were also pelted with stones.

“I was driving and the next moment all hell broke loose as stones were raining on my bakkie. A man in a council car panicked so much he drove into me. After the incident we both fled for our lives,” Sokhumei says.

JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security and Social Services, says the Wallacedene Clinic was closed down.

“The facility manager’s office was stoned and the facility was closed after all emergency cases were assessed to ensure the safety of staff and patients,” he says.

“Patients were referred to other clinics and traumatised staff will be referred for counselling.

The situation will be assessed in the morning and only then will a decision be made whether to reopen the clinic.”

Police did not respond to queries about the protest on Tuesday night.

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