Chaos erupted on Baden Powell Drive earlier this week, after protesters, seemingly upset about a new housing development in the area, dug a 1,5 metre deep trench across the entire width of the road in the early hours of the morning.
The Metro Police Tactical Response Unit was despatched speedily, and upon their arrival the trench had already caused its first accident after a motorist had driven into the trench.
The City’s JP Smith says such a trench could only have been created so quickly, where power tools and heavy construction machinery was used.
It could have ended badly for many more motorists had the damage to the road not been reported speedily.
Smith says Metro Police officer had to protect Roads and Stormwater Department staff, while they filled the trench and restored the road during the day.
Similar incidents have been reported in the Eastern Cape.
During a volatile protest at Mt Ayliff in the Phepheni area last week, a big trench was dugout along the R394, making the road completely inaccessible.
Even after workers re-tarred the road, it was dug up again a few days later.
