Thieving thugs have 'hijacked Eldorado Park protests'

More than 50 people have been arrested since Monday in Eldorado Park, in the south of Johannesburg, which has been racked by protests.

"We are still deploying officers in the area because the situation is a bit tense so we are trying to disperse the crowd," said Gauteng police spokesman Lungelo Dlamini.

Dlamini would not say how many police officers had been deployed to Eldorado Park.

Those arrested are due to appear in the Lenasia Magistrate's Court this week.

The police are continuing to monitor the situation.

• Protest chaos in KZN, GautengService delivery protests caused havoc in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng yesterday as residents demanded access to housing.

Tensions have subsided somewhat but residents are still looting shops, especially convenience stores at filling stations.

The local community policing forum has been trying to calm the situation since Monday.

Its members are worried about the destruction of property and the looting of shops.

"As community leaders we have had enough of what's been happening," said Cheryl Pillay, chairman of the Eldorado Park Local Drug Action Committee. "Between yesterday and today, the situation has become out of control and chaotic, and we know that now we are just dealing with a criminal element.

• Protests cause havoc in KZN and GautengService delivery protests caused havoc in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng on Monday as residents demanded access to housing.

"The looting has escalated to the point at which we, the community, have to stand together to try to protect each other's property."

Pillay said the government must intervene urgently because it was clear that the protesters would not back down.

Community members are demanding land on which to build houses. The protesters, most of them teenagers, have looted garage shops and destroyed property.

On Monday, Spar shops in extensions two and eight were looted, as were Pep and Shoprite premises in Freedom Park.