|
Renewed violence in Khutsong
15/12/2005 20:20 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Violence has again erupted in Khutsong on Gauteng's West Rand with police engaged in street battles with residents, SABC radio news reported on Thursday night.
Despite police warnings that their gatherings were illegal, a handful of people met at the local stadium, then set about reinforcing barricades on the township's streets.
People were running around with bottles filled with petrol to use as petrol bombs, the SABC reported.
Earlier on Thursday Gauteng police put a halt to a meeting on at Khutsong stadium by residents protesting their municipality's incorporation into the North West instead of Gauteng.
"We want to warn people not to go to the stadium," said senior superintendent Mary Martins-Engelbrecht after the police successfully opposed residents' court application to demonstrate.
"If they go there, police will act against them," said Martins-Engelbrecht, adding that every meeting of residents ended in unrest and riots.
Although the situation in Khutsong remained calm on Thursday, police maintained a strong presence in the area.
They arrested 71 people for public violence on Wednesday when residents went on the rampage after hearing that a bill had been passed allowing the re-demarcation of municipalities - including Merafong.
Other contentious areas among the 17 cross-border municipalities affected are Matatiele (KwaZulu-Natal to Eastern Cape), Bushbuckridge (Mpumalanga and Limpopo), and Khalagadi (Northwest to Northern Cape).
Several houses, a church and the community hall were burnt in the rioting. Police fired rubber bullets at protesters who stoned and threw bottles at their armoured vehicles.
Khutsong residents have been demonstrating since November against the proposed re-demarcation, arguing that Gauteng is wealthier and better able to provide services.
|
News
