Westbury residents bemoan alleged police brutality after violent clash during protest

JOHANNESBURG - Residents in Westbury, west of Johannesburg, have hit out at what they have called police brutality following a violent clash during a service delivery protest.

Police fired rubber bullets at a disgruntled group on Wednesday after frustrations reached a boiling point over prolonged water outages.

ALSO READ: Protesting Westbury residents demand permanent solution to their water supply woes

It's understood that the water shortages are caused by constraints in the main system due to high demand.

Protesting residents were shot at with rubber bullets, including a 68-year-old man, who demanded the police take him to hospital.

A Westbury local, Bianca Oliver, said the alleged brute force by police has taken the focus away from the issues faced by the community.

“The police are shooting at the wrong people. All we want is water and answers from the mayor, but as per usual, the mayor is not listening. Something that started so innocently has escalated to something so bad; all of our efforts are in vain.”

Another resident, Walter van der Merwe, agreed that law enforcement’s response to the protest, while local government fails to address the crippling water outages, is frustrating.

“You can rather give me no lights and give me water at least, because I can wash at least.”

Johannesburg Water is expected to give an update on the water system on Thursday.

GOVT CALLS FOR CALM

Government has called for calm following the violent protests in Westbury and Coronationville.

Stun grenades and rubber bullets were fired at the protesting groups.

Deputy government spokesperson William Baloyi said the matter is being addressed.

“Government has directed City of Johannesburg to implement immediate interim measures to address the current water supply challenges. Communities are urged to allow these measures to be carried out without disrupting the workers, as any interference will delay their implementation.”

But Baloyi said community grievances can’t come at the expense of infrastructure.

“The destruction of infrastructure and acts of violence only delay the very solutions that communities are demanding.”