Protests unfolded for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, engulfing the streets of Potsdam Road and Malibongwe Drive in Cape Town as residents of the informal Ezihagwini settlement on the edge of Dunoon reacted with fervour to the demolition of essential structures in their community.
The tension escalated after the City’s Law Enforcement allegedly razed structures that locals relied on for business, igniting fierce demonstrations that have brought local transport to a standstill, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The situation began to deteriorate when protesters barricaded the roads with rubble and set fires, signalling their ferocious anger towards the authorities on Monday and the tensions escalated until Tuesday.
Throughout the ongoing unrest, businesses in the area faced significant disruption as both buses and taxis were barred from entering the settlement.
Angry residents erected makeshift barriers, dragging debris from the demolished structures to impede traffic along Malibongwe Drive and Potsdam Road. Burning tyres became a symbol of the chaos, illuminating the night and giving voice to the anger that had boiled over in this underprivileged community.
The heavy presence and response from law enforcement have only aggravated tensions, as residents continued to throw stones at passing motorists, a sign of escalating desperation.
The narrow ribbons of roadways that crisscross the area became hotspots of unrest, with the ongoing clashes capturing the attention of both local residents and authorities alike.
As the protests unfold, the core issues about land rights, infrastructure, and the plight of informal settlements rise to the forefront, illustrating the urgent need for meaningful dialogue between the community and the city officials.
Residents insist that they deserve a voice in decisions that affect their livelihoods, as their makeshift homes serve as bastions of resilience amid systemic neglect.
Also read:
Protesters block roads in Dunoon with burning tyres and rubble
Picture: Radio 786 / Facebook
