Tensions remain high in Diepsloot as residents proceed with violent protests complaining about rampant crime in the area and lack of police visibility. The protest started on Monday evening and angry protestors went on a rampage yesterday, blocking the N14 freeway and roads going in and out of the township and burning hawkers' stalls.

A DEATH TRAP

Residents complained that Extension 1 in Diepsloot is densely populated, inaccessible by the police, and has been without electricity since its inception more than 25 years ago. The protest action has forced shop and stall owners to close temporarily as some of the protesters threatened to burn more stalls. One of the community leaders in Diepsloot said: "We've asked the president to come to Diepsloot several times, but he never did. So the community said there's only one language our government understands and it's violent protests. Our own President went to Ukraine to try to resolve their issues with Russia yet Diepsloot residents live like people in Ukraine because of crime. It's like we are living in a war zone. We are dying day in and day out," he said. Another community member said it was risky walking in the streets of Diepsloot after 7pm. "We cannot live like this, it's an abnormal situation,"

POLICE CANNOT DO IT ALONE

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that there were six murders in Diepsloot since the beginning of June. She said several arrests have been made including six suspects in a case of attempted murder and house robbery, one for an attempted murder case, three suspects in three separate cases of armed robbery, five for pointing of firearm, 82 people for drinking in public who end up being targeted by armed robbers, two illegal shebeens were closed down as these establishments are generators of common robberies, assaults, Gender-Based Violence, and domestic violence. The community is complaining oabout police visibility and high crime levels, the influx of illegal immigrants that are allegedly committing the crimes. These are mostly residents from informal settlements that have challenges with environmental design. Police vehicles are not able to get into those congested areas to patrol, especially at night as there is no electricity," Muridili said. She added that the station management will continue to engage the community leaders and community-based structures as well as other departments like Home Affairs and the municipality to find long-term solutions to issues in Diepsloot.