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FILE | Residents block roads with burning tyres, rocks and branches during a protest in Johannesburg.
Residents of Mohlakeng, west of Johannesburg, have taken to the streets in protest against rising crime in their area.
The march underscores growing frustration among residents, who say crime, including illegal mining and gun-related violence, has made their area unsafe.
Protesters are expected to hand over a memorandum of demands to officials at their local police station.
They are calling for faster police response to reported crimes.
One of the protesters, Tshidi Moyambo, says, “We really need help here. We are pleading to the people above [in authority] to attend to us as a community of Mohlakeng. We are experiencing a huge problem of crime.”
“We want Mr Cachalia [Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia], we want the Premier [Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi] to come and address us. We also want the SANDF [South African National Defence Force], we want them here, they must come and sweep Mohlakeng.”-Reporting by Puseletso Mokoena
VIDEO | Mohlakeng residents overwhelmed by crime surge
