Protest will continue but land-occupation rumours unfounded

Although residents of Princess informal settlement threatened to become unruly again if MMC for Housing, Dan Bovu, did not meet with them by 4pm on 21 January, the danger was averted when he arrived at 6pm.

Bovu told the residents that he “has started the process” and that at 4pm on 22 January he will “report back to them as to when construction will start”.
The Record went into the settlement on the morning of 22 January to speak to protesters.

Without fail they were sceptical about Bovu’s promises and adamant that if he did not return with satisfactory answers, the protests would continue.
The Record asked the protesters about the rumour that they were going to take over white-owned properties, but all of them denied knowing anything about it.

The protesters are demanding RDP housing, water, electricity and sanitation, which they feel have been promised to them for almost twenty years.

Police receive reinforcements, 14 arrested — 21 January

A joint operation by law-enforcement agencies on 20 January saw some peace being restored in and around Princess informal settlement.

In the operation by the SAPS, Public Order Police (Pop), JMPD, the Flying Squad and the Tactical Response Team (TRT) 14 protesters were arrested for public disorder as well as possession of stolen goods.

The stretch of Albertina Sisulu Road running past the settlement that has been closed off for almost a week also was re-opened on 21 January.

The police remain in the area to keep a watchful eye on the community.

Private property attacked in Princess protests — 20 January

Residents’ greatest fear came true on the evening of 18 January when rioters turned on private property.

One such resident in South Road, René Scheepers (40) and her three children were getting ready for bed at approximately 10pm when rocks started flying through the windows of the house. She immediately contacted the Witpoortjie Neighbourhood Watch who in turn contacted a nyala patrolling the area.

The rock-pelting attack was so intense that the nyala could not access Scheepers’ property. In the meanwhile she and her children locked themselves in a room.

Only at approximately 3am on Sunday 19 January the nyala got access to the house and evacuated the family. As soon as they left the protesters went on the rampage in the house stripping it of everything moveable such as jewellery, furniture, electric appliances, expensive crockery and even the children’s schoolbags. Scheepers’ family came the next morning to save what was left.

Scheepers has indicated that out of fear she will not move back to the house. She currently is residing with family.

A lot of questions has been raised about the SAPS and JMPD’s lack of pro-active policing in the ongoing protests.