[They don’t want journalists spreading the truth around the world… (because it would sound so much like APARTHEID…) These blacks rioted because the Black Govt was going to try and move them forcibly…. then it turned violent and rubber bullets were fired. The blacks threw rocks at the Police and burned down two council buildings… It makes me want to cry… its just like Apartheid… except, its so beautiful watching the hypocritical ANC carry out exactly the same actions which the White Govt did and which the ANC went around the PLANET crying about as “proof” of how cruel whites were. What the ANC would never ever admit is that blacks are an unruly people who do the most illogical things and sometimes they need a heavy hand. So in the ANC’s MYTHOLOGICAL HISTORY… only whites ever needed to get heavy handed with blacks. Hypocrits. Now even they have to do the same! Jan]

Police declared the strife-torn Diepsloot area north of Johannesburg a crime scene on Wednesday and ordered reporters to leave the area.

A Sapa photographer on the scene said reporters were told by Pretoria police Superintendent Morne van Wyk to leave the area.

Meanwhile, police were using water cannons to clear blocked roads.

A large crowd of protesters was still gathered at the entrance to the township, on the R511 road between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Earlier on Wednesday, a mother and father brought an injured girl aged about five or six to the police during a stand-off between police and residents. The child and her parents were taken to hospital. The nature of her injuries were not immediately clear.

Three more people were arrested in Diepsloot early on Wednesday morning as an angry crowd confronted police at the entrance to the settlement.

Stones were thrown at the police before they fired shots and the crowd scattered.

Earlier in the morning police had to escort vehicles travelling in and out of the area after a mob of about 60 people started throwing stones.

Protests in the area — partly an informal settlement, partly proper housing — spiralled out of control on Tuesday evening as vehicles were stoned.

The road was blocked with tyres, drums and road signs. Johannesburg Metro Police said the R511 will remain closed to normal traffic until further notice. Only taxis are allowed in and out of Diepsloot.

Protesters who gathered early on Wednesday morning at the road said they do not want the police and reporters there.

A substantial number of vehicles were damaged and municipal buildings were burnt down on Monday and Tuesday by the protesters.

Residents are protesting against rumours that they would be moved to Brits in the North West province.

One resident said the violence will not stop until the release of 19 people who were arrested on charges of arson and public violence.

“The people are angry. This is God’s way of showing their anger. We cannot stay in shacks when officials live nicely,” he said.

“[Gauteng Premier Mbhazima] Shilowa is the only person who can sort this out. He works very hard, but the people who work for him are corrupt.”

œThe situation is calmer now but we will maintain a strong presence in the area, Pretoria police inspector Percy Morokane told the Mail & Guardian Online. Morokane said seven people were arrested on Monday afternoon and another 10 on Monday evening.

Two more people were arrested on Tuesday morning after a mass meeting was held to address the concerns of the community.

“As they were dispersing the residents started throwing stones at the police,” Morokane said. The two were arrested soon afterwards. — Sapa

Source: Daily Mail & Guardian
URL: http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=118329&…/p>