Law enforcement authorities are closely monitoring the situation in Diepkloof following a recent outbreak of protests that resulted in the blockading of major highways.
Diepkloof protests: Road closures to avoid on Monday, 26 June 2023
On Monday morning, tensions flared as residents from the local hostel expressed their discontent over service delivery issues, leading to the obstruction of the N12 east and N1 north routes with burning tires.
The Johannesburg metro police department (JMPD) has been actively engaged in managing the unrest.
According to Xolani Fihla, the spokesperson for JMPD, officers promptly responded to the scene and successfully dispersed the protesting crowds, subsequently reopening the affected sections of the highway.
However, remnants of the demonstration are still causing some traffic disruptions on Chris Hani Road, and motorists are advised to exercise caution due to the presence of debris.
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Why are Diepkloof residents protesting?
This marks the third instance of protests in Diepkloof within a month, all occurring at the same location. Residents have been demanding essential services and have resorted to blocking major thoroughfares to draw attention to their grievances.
Just two weeks ago, the N12 east and N1 north were blocked, while a week prior to that, a milk truck was torched and looted during another service delivery protest.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported thus far, and the situation remains relatively calm due to the presence of law enforcement personnel from both JMPD and the South African Police Service (SAPS) deployed in the area.
The recent protest and resulting lane closures caused significant delays on the N1 North and N12 East, as traffic had to be diverted at the Golden Highway and N1 North intersections, causing further congestion and inconvenience for commuters.
One truck driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared his harrowing experience while passing through the area. As he was en route to make a delivery in Kempton Park, he found himself confronted by a mob of protesters.
Fearing for his safety, he made a swift decision to flee from the scene, witnessing the chaos unfold as people set tires ablaze and targeted vehicles for looting.
The Diepkloof protests continue to draw attention to the pressing issues faced by residents, emphasizing their dissatisfaction with the current state of service delivery.