Shops looted as Daveyton residents protest for land to build shacks on

A number of shops owned by foreigners in Daveyton have been looted, Ekurhuleni metro police said on Wednesday.

"Criminal elements organised themselves into small groups of between six and 12 people and went and looted different shops from around sunset yesterday [Tuesday] until around 9pm," Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago said.

"Police could not get to all the shops at the same time, we could only get to some. So for those shops we could not get to the residents themselves protected the other shops being looted."

No injuries were reported and no arrests made.

Kgasago was unable to say exactly how many shops were looted.

"It calmed down overnight and this morning [Wednesday] it was fairly quiet," he said.

"Some of the rocks that were used to blockade roads yesterday have been removed. There is free passage to motorists to enter and exit Daveyton."

However, some intersections were still blocked.

Kgasago said a meeting between protesters and officials was scheduled for Wednesday to try to resolve the issue.

Another meeting was planned for Thursday.

The protest began on Monday when residents tried to illegally invade land and erect shacks but were prevented by authorities.