Rampaging Diepsloot residents stamp down on criminals 

By Everson Luhanga

Residents of Diepsloot on Friday morning once again took to the streets in protest against high crime in their township. 

They walked street by street, hunting down suspected criminals and shacks thought to be harbouring suspected criminals were set on fire and demolished. Some spaza shops were forced to close down.

The protest has been gaining momentum with more people joining in.

Armed with sjamboks, broomsticks and stones the angry community members were accompanied by two police vans. 

Diepsloot Community leader forum chairperson Lefa Nkala said Diepsloot is calling on President Ramaphosa to come and address them.

“Minister Bheki Cele was here and deployed TRT and crime declined,” said Nkala.

“But recently there has been a spike in murders, rape, robberies and armed robberies. We are tired.”

Lefa said some of the victims are still fighting for their lives in hospitals. 

Loyiso Toyiya said in the past two days two people have been killed.

“Police are not assisting us. We will deal with these criminals by ourselves,” he said. 

“We have been handing over criminals to the police but the criminals are seen walking outside the following day.”

Pictured above: Residents of Diepsloot during a protest  

Image source: Everson Luhanga