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MEC Calls for Calm in Diepsloot

BuaNews (Pretoria)
NEWS
July 7, 2004
Posted to the web July 7, 2004

By Edwin Tshivhidzo
Pretoria

Gauteng Housing MEC Nomvula Mokonyane has appealed for calm in Diepsloot, a sprawling settlement north of Johannesburg hit by riots, as residents furious at allegations that government planned to relocate them to Brits in the North West, went on the rampage.

Although there is now relative calm in the area since police have dispersed much of the protestors, the situation is still tense and the authorities have closed down the R511 road passing through Diepsloot to Sandton.

The police have also ordered journalists and others observing the situation in the area to pull out or not to go to certain parts of Diepsloot.

MEC Mokonyane said the rumours that government planned to relocate some residents to Brits without consultation or consent was false.

"I wish to assure people affected by this fictitious rumour that the Gauteng Provincial Government and the City of Johannesburg have at no stage contemplated to move Diepsloot residents to Brits," said the MEC.

"We are a government that is founded on democratic principles and we firmly believe in consultation with communities and affected people at all times," she said.

"If there was any decision of this nature, as claimed by those fuelling violence, we would have widely consulted and discussed the matter with people of Diepsloot and interested parties," she said.

MEC Mokonyane however warned residents that government "cannot allow anarchy to prevail and have people destroying council property and harassing elected public representatives."

About 24 people have been arrested since the riots started last week. Rioters burnt municipal buildings and houses and some of the protestors barricaded the R511 road last night.

Some of the people in the area were relocated from Alexandra in 2001 as part of government's extensive programme for urban renewal and housing.

 
 

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