Police monitor ongoing Alexandra housing protest

Police kept a close eye on a service delivery protest in Corlett Gardens, near Alexandra in Johannesburg, on Friday morning.

Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson chief superintendent Wayne Minnaar told News24 that protesters were demanding to occupy flats in the residential area illegally.

In a series of ongoing housing protests, this morning saw protesters blocking major routes with burning tyres and rocks. Residents blocked parts of the N3 highway and London Road in a separate protest earlier this week.

Reports allege that RDP title deeds and building materials from new developments are being sold and that some residents are being given preference over those who have qualifying paperwork for the houses.

Residents said they want the illegal occupants to be removed and demand immediate response from President Jacob Zuma and Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Paul Mashatile.

JMPD officers were deployed and have been monitoring the protests since they broke out.

Minnaar said he was not sure whether the protesters were shack dwellers.

Ndileka Lujabe Journalist City Press p: +27 11 713 9001 w: www.citypress.co.za  e: ndileka.lujabe@citypress.co.za