One man has been arrested in connection with the violent anti-crime protest that rocked the southern Johannesburg suburb of Rosettenville on Saturday.
Four houses are reported to have been torched by angry residents during the protest which targeted alleged drug dens and brothels in the area.
Police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubela told eNCA and Eyewitness News that police had arrested a man found in one of the houses that were set alight and that more arrests could follow.
The suspect‚ who is expected to be charged with arson and public violence‚ will appear in court on Monday‚ he said.
He added that police were continuing to monitor the area following several days of unrest.
The City of Johannesburg has called on the South African Police Service to investigate the cases of arson during the protests in the suburb and to utilise its Crime Intelligence unit to assist the City in its fight against drugs and crime.
Member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for safety Michael Sun said the suburb had descended into chaos once again on Saturday after residents had initially gathered peacefully to protest against the serious drug and prostitution problems in the area.
He said the gathering had started peacefully and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department was on the scene to maintain order.
“Whilst this was welcomed by the residents‚ the situation became out of control when SAPS decided to disburse the crowd by firing rubber bullets and tear gas grenades into the crowd. This not only angered the protestors but prompted community members to take the law into their own hands.
“Angry residents chanting ‘Burn‚ burn‚ burn’ began to attack suspicious drug dens and brothels and setting them alight‚” Sun added.
“My assessment of the situation was that most of the crowd were spectators and were not violent at all. Many of the elderly spectators were unable to move away from the scene quickly and became vulnerable‚” Sun said.
Together with five other councillors from the area‚ he had addressed the community and called on them to be calm and conduct themselves in an orderly manner‚ he added.
One person arrested in connection with Rosettenville violence
One man has been arrested in connection with the violent anti-crime protest that rocked the southern Johannesburg suburb of Rosettenville on Saturday.
Four houses are reported to have been torched by angry residents during the protest which targeted alleged drug dens and brothels in the area.
Police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubela told eNCA and Eyewitness News that police had arrested a man found in one of the houses that were set alight and that more arrests could follow.
The suspect‚ who is expected to be charged with arson and public violence‚ will appear in court on Monday‚ he said.
He added that police were continuing to monitor the area following several days of unrest.
The City of Johannesburg has called on the South African Police Service to investigate the cases of arson during the protests in the suburb and to utilise its Crime Intelligence unit to assist the City in its fight against drugs and crime.
Member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for safety Michael Sun said the suburb had descended into chaos once again on Saturday after residents had initially gathered peacefully to protest against the serious drug and prostitution problems in the area.
He said the gathering had started peacefully and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department was on the scene to maintain order.
“Whilst this was welcomed by the residents‚ the situation became out of control when SAPS decided to disburse the crowd by firing rubber bullets and tear gas grenades into the crowd. This not only angered the protestors but prompted community members to take the law into their own hands.
“Angry residents chanting ‘Burn‚ burn‚ burn’ began to attack suspicious drug dens and brothels and setting them alight‚” Sun added.
“My assessment of the situation was that most of the crowd were spectators and were not violent at all. Many of the elderly spectators were unable to move away from the scene quickly and became vulnerable‚” Sun said.
Together with five other councillors from the area‚ he had addressed the community and called on them to be calm and conduct themselves in an orderly manner‚ he added.
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