Masiphumelele

THICK smoke hung over Masiphumelele near Fish Hoek as residents burnt tyres and rubble on almost all intersections in the area, demanding that seven people that appeared at Simon’s Town Magistrate’s Court be released on bail.

The area has been volatile since the rape and murder of 15-year-old Amani Pula and the community members killing two people accused of raping Pula.

Drug dealing, theft and robbery which according to residents police were not properly monitoring prompted the residents to take to the streets as early as 5am.

Police had to use rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the crowd of about a thousand residents.

In the morning, community members were prevented from leaving Masiphumelele when they were on their way to work or shopping malls.
Community leaders failed to negotiate with the protesting residents, who were mostly youth. Businessman Andrew Mazarira’s business was set alight by the protesting residents.