A clash between residents and cops on Wednesday resulted in Govan Mbeki Road being closed and vehicles being stoned.
Kampies community member Margaret Quine, 53, tells the Daily Voice that Philippi cops ransacked her home and arrested her son.
“I was not at home when they arrived, but when I got there, I found my son handcuffed and on the floor,” she says.
“I asked them what they were looking for, they didn’t answer, they just went ahead searching my house.
“I tried to explain that my son doesn’t live with me and again they ignored me.
“They took my money, which I made from my shop, I run a small spaza shop to survive.”
She says when her neighbours noticed what was happening, they started to protest.
“The people were so upset and they wanted the police to release my son, but instead they started shooting,” Margaret explains.
“The residents got upset and barricaded the road into our area with burning tyres and then went to Govan Mbeki Road and did the same thing.
“Even after that, my son was still taken into custody.”
Police spokesman Joseph Swartbooi says the Provincial Extortion unit was conducting an operation in the area on Wednesday.
“Upon searching a premises in the informal settlement, they confiscated a consignment of drugs and cash,” he says
“As the team prepared to leave with the drugs, cash and a 25-year-old man whom they arrested for dealing in drugs, the community attacked by throwing stones at the members and vehicles.
“The police members protected themselves by firing warning shots, ensuring that the arrested person, drugs and cash were transported to the station safely.
“Once charged, the man will make a court appearance in the Athlone Magistrates’ court.”