ALEXANDRA PROTESTS: Alex residents march to Sandton, determined to have their grievances heard By Bheki C. Simelane colibheki
When protests began last week, Alexandra residents said if nobody was prepared to listen to their concerns they would march to Sandton and would not be ashamed to burn tyres along their journey.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesman Wayne Minnaar said the Alexandra residents’ march was an unprotected protest as organisers had not sought permission from the City to march.Notice must be served seven days prior to the protest, and if this is not the case the protest is an unprotected protest,” Minaar toldIt took residents a little while to gather at the Multi-Purpose Centre in Alexandra because of Monday’s inclement weather.
Alexandra is one of the country’s oldest townships and one of the most squalid, despite being located a stone’s throw from high-end Sandton City. The community continues to battle unemployment, poverty, crime and poor services. Residents’ housing frustrations have been vented on foreign nationals who have been accused of being the cause of mushrooming squatter camps everywhere.
The march, which progressed under police guard, was peaceful despite a few hitches along the way. Police threatened to confiscate all tyres and other objects they considered dangerous. This led to a mini-confrontation, but the leaders of the march agreed that tyres could not be carried into Sandton. The march proceeded once the tyres were handed to police.
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