Police confirm discovery of bodies amid Diepsloot protest

JOHANNESBURG – Police have confirmed the deaths of two people following a violent housing protest in Soweto on Monday morning.

Dozens of Diepkloof residents took to the streets, accusing the City of Joburg of ignoring their pleas to develop vacant land for housing.

They blocked the Diepkloof Interchange, and what began as a demonstration quickly descended into looting, with two trucks attacked.

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Broken glass, oil spills and the overwhelming stench of from a ransacked delivery truck characterise the scene.

A crumpled letter lies in a pool of blood not far from the body of a man still covered with a silver sheet.

Police have cordoned off two streets, deployed a nyala, drones and reinforcements.

Nearby, furious residents look on with their eyes filled with rage, some hurling insults, others in tears.

Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Sasondo says while investigations continue, the situation remains volatile.

“We brought two people who are confirmed deceased and one person who is in hospital.”