Hundreds of informal dwellers took to the streets of Wattville township near Benoni on Wednesday, demanding houses.
About 500 people walked to the department of housing where they were expected to deliver a memorandum.
Many in the crowd were carrying sticks, with some holding golf clubs.
"We want houses. We are tired of living like this, " said a man who declined to be named.
"Until when will we live in shacks?" read some of their placards.
Among the protesters were children dressed in school uniform.
At the department's premises, officials remained behind locked gates. It was unclear whether anyone would come out to address the crowd.
A police helicopter hovered above while several police vehicles cordoned off the entrances.
One housing department official was escorted out of the building by policemen with guns and batons.
Hundreds of informal settlement dwellers ,from the Emandleni, Emlotheni, Emandleni and local hostel sections on the outskirts of the Wattville township, gathered for the march to the CBD on Wednesday morning.
"We vote but get nothing in return," said protester Ludwick Mavundla.
Workers and school children were hindered from leaving the township as road exits were blockaded. Taxis were also not operating.
"We don't know why they are including us in this," said a resident who identified herself as Sarah.
A circular distributed in the township on Tuesday called for a peaceful march.
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SOLUTIONS
We want,, we want, but we do not want to work for it!!!!!Report Abuse
DA-DBN-GUY
Well you get what you vote for. Time you people woke up and started working and doing things for yourselves instead of waiting for handouts!Report Abuse
RobinH
Well at last people at grassroots level are wising up. Vote for arseholes and you will reap sh!t.Report Abuse
Credo
"We vote but get nothing in return"Welcome to the real world !!!!!!
This should be your wake-up call !!!!!!
There is a hell of a difference between what the anc promise you and what they actually do !!!!!!
You will see and hear many new promises from the anc between now and the next elections !!!!!!
WAKE UP !!!!!!!
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Abdulla-Saleeh
And you will vote them again right?Report Abuse
LaliboyEC
wake the hell up you lazy beings its time you stopped getting hand outs and demanding free everything on our expense(taxpapyers who work hard)...you people are shameless cant you see these idiots are using you for votes while the fatten their thick bellies.....damn oxygen thiefsReport Abuse
MommaC
"Many in the crowd were carrying sticks, with some holding golf clubs"LOL
our 'traditional weapons' are becoming somewhat cosmopolitan :)
I want a Ferrari Testarossa - that ain't gonna happen either
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oldlady12
And I want the voices in my head to stop answering me back.Report Abuse
Hail
"Until when we live in shacks" while the money is been spen om revamping the president 's place. Welcome to the real Mzantsi. Now you will use your brains not emotions when you going to vote.Report Abuse
BEAUTYPRINCESS
This is what you hear everyday...I have been waiting for a house for 15 years, I do not have money to support my 11 children and 14 grandchildren, I have a job but i want 100% increase on my salary, i want this...i want that etc etc. The problem with our people is that they want to sit down and not do something for themselves. You will find a man/woman, a very healthy looking one with both hands and legs waiting for the goverment to build a house and other things but can afford to buy alcohol.My mother raised us as a single parent, domestic worker. With the little she was earning she managed to gie us shelter and food. There are very few people in SA who realy need those grants and free houses, The rest are just lazy. All the best DA...i hope you will handle the needs of our lazy South Africans. Trueth must be told and dont atack me please...
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