Police patrol riot-hit Kamesh

POLICE maintained a strong presence in Uitenhage's western areas yesterday following protests by residents on Tuesday night.

The Kamesh area erupted as residents rampaged through streets on the outskirts of the central business district to demand land from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

One resident, Amber Horne, was injured and taken to hospital after she was hit by a brick. Yesterday, groups from Mandelaville and McNaughton lit debris along sections of Maduna and Kamesh roads and 23rd Avenue.

At about 11am, a group made their way to Limekhaya High School, and "about 25 protesters stormed the classrooms with spades, pangas and hammers", deputy principal Unathi Bhe said.

Police arrived within five minutes and the crowd dispersed.

The new protests – in which police fired rubber bullets on Tuesday – followed riots in November which claimed the life of an 11-year-old girl and resulted in widespread destruction.

Warrant Officer Gerda Swart said police would react immediately to any lawlessness. – Tremaine van Aardt