Violence erupts in Refilwe township

Violence erupts in Refilwe township

Residents of the Refilwe Township outside Cullinan, east of Pretoria took to the streets on Thursday night, setting alight a municipal building as well as five municipal vehicles. 

Meyerton protest_jacanews
Photo: Maryke Vermaak, JacarandaFM News

According to police another five vehicles were damaged when angry community members protested against the Tshwane Metro council's Red Ants who are busy evicting people from informal structures on private land.


The house of a Tshwane Metro Police officer in the area was also broken into and damaged by a mob of angry protesters.


Police spokesperson, Captain Mavela Masondo says about two thousand people were evicted from the piece of land near the Refilwe township.


"After being evicted the residents took to the streets of Refilwe and vandalised property," Masondo said.


He added that three people were arrested during the protest.


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"The suspects will appear in the Cullinan magistrate's court on charges of public violence," he said.


No injuries were reported during the protest and police are maintaining a strong presence in the area.


"Our members are continuously monitoring the situation but we are not anticipating another protest by residents today," Masondo said.


He told Jacaranda FM News that there is also no clarity if the Red Ants would continue their evictions today.


"I am not sure whether they will continue, it is up to the Red Ants to decide," he concluded. 

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