Tinned fish, chicken braai packs, burger patties and a few bottles of alcohol were among the items found by police during a raid at the Diepkloof hostel in Soweto following a violent protest on Monday morning.
Earlier, reported that the protest turned fatal, with two people killed and one seriously injured after being struck by a truck during the ensuing chaos.
The violence erupted during a protest over poor service delivery, which also saw the looting of tinned fish from a truck attempting to pass through the area.
Protesters blocked roads with burning tires and stones, set one truck on fire, and looted another.
The protest was sparked by ongoing frustrations among residents over the lack of access to clean water, inadequate sanitation and ablution facilities, and deteriorating infrastructure.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department said the N12 eastbound and westbound, as well as the N1 northbound and southbound at the split with the N12, were temporarily closed.
After a few hours, JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the roads had reopened and protesters had dispersed, although delays continued on the N12 westbound due to the earlier incidents.
A large police contingent later conducted a raid at Diepkloof hostel in search of looted goods following the deadly protest.
Armed police officers knocked on the doors of deteriorated hostel residents as they searched for looted items.
Police recovered various looted items, including tinned fish, chicken braai packs, burger patties and a few bottles of alcohol.
Speaking with News, Sibongiseni Khoza, 41, who used to live at the hostel, said there were originally four blocks of buildings, but three were demolished due to poor structural conditions.
He said residents from those buildings were moved to 68 stand-alone units in the area.
“The blocks were not in a good state, it could collapse anytime. After those blocks were demolished, the people who were staying at those blocks were moved to newly built units,” he said.
Khoza added that only one block remains and it is also in poor condition.
“So the people who stay at the block that is left, are complaining and asking for the City of Johannesburg to build stand-alone units on a nearby vacant plot where the three other blocks were demolished,” he said.
He said tensions escalated when residents were told the remaining section of the hostel had been allegedly sold to a private company.
“There’s an issue that the land has been bought by someone. So there’s a court interdict that the land must not be used because there’s someone who bought it…People are angry because of the block that they are currently occupying and the issue of the land,” he told News.
Khoza said about 130 people currently stay in the remaining block, which lacks basic infrastructure.
Residents are using mobile toilets, many rooms have broken doors, and there are no glass windows.
“They do come to drain those toilets twice a week, but sometimes they don’t come and it becomes a problem, because they end up stinking,” he said.
“Another concerning issue is that crime is rife in that area, as people do as they wish. People get robbed day and night.”
Another resident, Maria Masilo, 49, who lives near the hostel, echoed concerns about persistent crime and deteriorating living conditions.
“Many of the people who are staying at the hostel are using drugs, which I think is something that they stole to loot the truck because after doing that they end up selling those items to locals in order to get money to buy drugs…the situation is very bad,” she said.
Masilo said repeated complaints about crime have gone unanswered.
“We have been talking about crime in that hostel for a long time, vehicles are being stolen, people are being killed, robbed, and robbed. Everyone who passes through that hostel will tell you how dangerous the place is,” she said.
Meanwhile, City of Johannesburg MMC for Housing and Human Settlements Mlungisi Mabaso said a forensic investigation is underway into the partial sale of hostel land to a private company.
Speaking to media and concerned residents on Monday afternoon, Mabaso confirmed part of the land had been sold, but the city does not know to whom.
“We want to establish who authorised the transaction, who signed the documents, and the full details of the valuation and transfer,” he said.
He said the city appointed Johannesburg Water to address sewer and sanitation issues at the hostel. Construction is set to begin on July 7.
“We couldn’t communicate this earlier due to unresolved ownership and legal issues, but we’ve decided to proceed with providing these essential services,” Mabaso said.
“If anyone wants to stop the construction, they can take it to court.”
Mabaso added that the city awaits formal approval from the executive mayor Dada Morero and city manager to begin the forensic probe.
“Those implicated must be disciplined so we can put this matter to rest,” he said.
Addressing promises made to residents, Mabaso said electrification has been completed, sanitation work is set to begin, and a hostel redevelopment strategy was presented in March.
“We aim to redevelop all hostels. The concept will be submitted to the council for approval,” he said.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said no arrests have been made, but police have opened a case of public violence and are continuing their investigation.
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