Reservoir Hills protests erupt over new shacks near M19
A Reservoir Hills protest blocked the M19 as residents demanded an investigation into new informal structures and community concerns.
A protest in Reservoir Hills that disrupted traffic near the uMgudulu informal settlement on Sunday was sparked by community anger over new informal structures - apparently being built in bushland along the M19.
That's according to Ward 23 councillor Alicia Kissoon, who says residents believe the shacks are being occupied by undocumented foreign nationals.
" The community first approached SAPS and handed over a document to inform them of what was happening and [to] request intervention.
“Unfortunately, this did not happen, and according to the community forum that I've heard from, they had tried on numerous occasions to engage with SAPS to attend to the matter.”
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Ward committee member Freedom Ngozi says the community wanted authorities to investigate who was occupying the structures and whether they posed a safety risk. He says the road was later reopened.
"The police eventually arrived and we spoke to them. We apologised for closing the road because we know it's not the right thing to do. But it was our last resort after we felt our concerns were not being heard.
“We understand that ambulances use that road, that some people are sick and others are on their way to hospital to give birth. We would never want anyone to lose their life because of our protest."
Newswatch has reached out to police for comment.
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