Authorities lined Kommetjie Road near Masiphumelele on Tuesday morning after a group of residents burnt a container and tyres on Monday night, wreaking havoc in the township.
The arrest of community leader Lubabalo Willem in connection with a recent spate of mob justice incidents is the reason for the unrest, locals said.
Willem appeared in the Simon’s Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday. He remains behind bars until his next appearance on Friday.
Earlier on Tuesday, a group of men carrying brooms started clearing the road of debris that was burnt by protesters on Monday night. Rocks and tree stumps were strewn across Pokela Road.
According to the City of Cape Town, the area is still volatile and authorities remain in the area.
“But they are treating us like the criminals,” an irate Nomsa Dyani said, pointing at two Casspirs parked at the corner of Kommetjie and Pokela roads.
“Where are they when we call them to help with crime in the area? Nowhere to be found. But when the residents take a stand and remove them from the community, we are treated like tsotsis. They must give us their salaries – we are doing their jobs.”
An elderly resident, who asked not to be named, said crime was spiralling out of control in Masiphumelele.
“We need our people to do something before the streets are run by the bad guys. Why must we feel unsafe here? We must turn up the heat for those stealing from us, raping the women and selling poison to our young people. There is no place for them – they must get out.”
A number of mob justice incidents have been reported in the township in recent weeks, including the murder of an alleged rapist.
The home of a resident accused of drug dealing has also been damaged and the homeowner was chased out of the community.
Source: News24
