High crime levels spark community uprising in Diepsloot

JOHANNESBURG - Diepsloot residents say they are fed up with a lack of police visibility.

On Monday night they took to the streets in protest to raise concerns over surging crime levels.

They claim the police abandoned them and criminals have taken over.

READ: Diepsloot residents demand permanent crime solution

They have vowed to continue their protest.

Protesters have set fire to some shops and homes in an informal settlement, claiming the owners are harbouring criminals.

"What you are seeing here is the anger of the community. Last week, the community decided to eradicate crime on their own. They went house to house, demolishing shacks that were alleged to be harbouring criminals," one resident said.

"The community is demolishing these structures that are on the road because they believe it is the hiding place of criminals."