Protestors from the Diepkloof Hostel in Soweto barricaded the road with rocks and burning tyres demanding electricity, water and housing.
Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes after a volatile service delivery protest on the N12 east and N1 highway at the Diepkloof interchange.
The area is now calm but protestors from the Diepkloof Hostel in Soweto on Monday barricaded the road with rocks and burning tyres.
It is understood the protestors are demanding electricity, water and housing in the service delivery protest.
They clashed with Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers pelting rocks and other objects at the officials and motorists forcing vehicles to make u-turns.
Traffic has been severely backed up by the volatile protest. JMPD officials have fired rubber bullets at the protestors.
N12 Service Delivery Protest at Diepkloof Interchange, JHB,
on the N12E side of the highway, heading towards JohannesburgLocation:https://t.co/B8FFmA2GoO
“Law Enforcement is present, but please note that traffic is moving extremely slowly & vehicles are making u-turns at…
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) March 18, 2024
ALSO READ: Motorists urged to avoid Soweto amid service delivery protest
Alert
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said officers are monitoring the area.
“Officers were deployed overnight and this morning and they’ve encountered resistance from hostel dwellers who are pelting stones at passing vehicles.
“The situation remains tense and police remain on high alert and are closely monitoring the development at the hostel,” Fihla said.
Fihla said the highway has been opened but advised motorists to approach the area with caution.
Taxi strike
Earlier this month, several areas including Alberton, Daveyton, Tembisa, Ivory Park, Vosloorus, Germiston and Benoni were affected by a taxi protest.
Taxi drivers ceased their services due to a contract dispute with the City of Ekurhuleni and the impounding of taxis.
Santaco and and the city reached a resolution a day later with an agreement that drivers would resume services.
“All taxi operations in Ekurhuleni will resume normally from tomorrow (Friday) morning. Santaco Ekurhuleni wishes to apologize again to all commuters who were left stranded,” Santaco said.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Ekurhuleni taxi strike brings East Rand to a standstill
