Rioters turn on journos
06/07/2004 22:26 - (SA)
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Thousands marched through the streets of Diepsloot.(Halden Krog, Beeld |
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Dikgari Ramathata
Johannesburg - Diepsloot rioters on Tuesday turned on reporters covering the story by pelting their car with stones.
The rear window of Talk Radio 702's vehicle was completely shattered and the rest of the car badly damaged. Daily Sun photographer, Liza Jay, a 702 reporter who was driving the car, Regan Thaw, and
four other reporters escaped unhurt.
Protests against rumoured forced relocation to Brits began on Monday when buildings were set alight.
Nineteen people have been arrested since then and residents demanding their release on Tuesday started stoning cars and burning tyres. Police used water cannons to disperse the crowd.
The reporters were standing near the car when a group of
youths, apparently hiding from the police in one of the RDP houses, started throwing stones.
"Hell broke loose as we ran for cover and quickly got into the car.
Retaliated by throwing stones
"We lay flat on top of one
another in the car while Thaw drove the car at high speed from the scene and stones rained on
us," said SunGirl Liza Jay.
The protest on Tuesday saw more than 5 000 residents
gathering along the highway which runs past Diepsloot.
Tempers flared when police used a water cannon, teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the
mob, who retaliated by throwing stones.
A police spotter plane flew overhead.
Edited by Elmarie Jack
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