Johannesburg - Police fired rubber bullets as residents in Lenasia South barricaded roads, burnt tyres and threw rocks on Tuesday morning, in protest against what they called an illegal land invasion.
Local residents clashed with illegal land occupiers in Extension 2, Johannesburg metro police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said.
The area in dispute had been unoccupied for a lengthy period of time, and was behind a residential area.
"Squatters made their way from Ennerdale Road and started heading toward the residential area. There was a stand-off between the police and residents, and the police fired rubber bullets," said local resident Maria Pillay.
Minnaar said motorists should avoid the K43 and Main Road in Ennerdale because protesters were throwing stones, and use Old Lawley Road instead.
Lenasia South police spokesperson Sergeant Khalipha Mvula said the situation was under control. Metro police were monitoring the situation and no state property had been damaged.
Four people sustained minor injuries.
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