RESIDENTS PROTEST FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND BETTER SERVICE



Residents closed the roads with burning tyres demanding for better service and jobs at Bock AA, BB and F-West in Soshanguve.

HOPE MOTAU,  PATRICK MOTHAPOAND  LILLIAN MSIBI

Soshanguve Blocks AA, BB and F-West were covered by the dark clouds of smoke from burning tyres.

 People from all walks of life participated in community mass protest. Residents accused the municipality and ward 29 councillor for not listening to their need.

Among the concerns were tar roads at Block BB, a decent park at Block AA as well as a soccer ground, accusing the councillor of nepotism and not employing youth within the Blocks for the project that are taking place in the community.

The police tried to disperse the protesters by shooting rubber bullets and tear gas, but the protesters continued burning tyres.  "I am here because we need better services delivery. Block BB was started in 1986 but we still do not have tar roads. We also need solar geysers and we have been waiting for so long," said Peter Mhlongo from Block BB.

The lady with red T-shirt was running away from the police who were shooting rubber bullets.

Some of the residents were injured by the police rubber bullets, but they came back to continue protesting, burning tyres and chanting.

Police spokesperson, warrant officer Lolo Mangena of Rietgat police station said "We deployed our officers here to get this demonstration under control because we do not want any damage to property."

WARRANT OFFICER LOLO MANGENA :  RIETGAT POLICE STATION 

     SOUND CLIP OF SOSHANGUVE RESIDENT

Soshanguve Plaza was closed by the protesters during the protest hours and no one was allowed to enter. All schools within the community were closed due to the protest. The school pupils were also taking part in the protest. Tumelo Phalane (18) from Kgomotso Comprehensive High says, "As a Grade 12 pupil my opinion is that the strike should not involve the learners, because we would be left behind at school. Let them allow us to go to catch-up because there is teacher's go slow currently, so we need to catch-up before teachers go for strike in one to two weeks time".

Sphiwe Mhlongo (18) and Anikie Chauke (17) the matric pupils at Soshanguve High from Block BB are worried that they should not go to school due to community mass protest. They say that this might affect their matric results at the end of the year.

"We will also find out why the police used rubber bullets. But if the situation was bad, there was no other way the police could control crowd. We want to protect innocent people and property. We deployed police officers who deal with public violence and other officers from the local police station." said Mangena. Six men and a woman were arrested for public violence and released later on Friday.