Traffic along the M19 in Reservoir Hills was temporarily disrupted on Sunday after residents staged a protest demanding an investigation into newly erected informal structures near the uMgudulu informal settlement.
According to Ward 23 councillor Alicia Kissoon, the demonstration was prompted by growing concerns over shacks that have reportedly been built in bushland alongside the M19. Residents have alleged that the structures are being occupied by undocumented foreign nationals and have called for authorities to investigate the matter.
Kissoon said community members had previously approached the South African Police Service (SAPS) and submitted a formal request for intervention.
"The community first approached SAPS and handed over a document to inform them of what was happening and request intervention," she said.
"Unfortunately, this did not happen, and according to the community forum, they had tried on numerous occasions to engage with SAPS to attend to the matter."
Ward committee member Freedom Ngozi said the protest was intended to draw attention to residents' concerns and to urge authorities to determine who was occupying the structures and whether they posed any safety or security risks.
He said the M19 was reopened after police arrived and engaged with the protesters.
"The police eventually arrived and we spoke to them. We apologised for closing the road because we know it's not the right thing to do, but it was our last resort after we felt our concerns were not being heard," Ngozi said.
"We understand that ambulances use that road, that some people are sick and others are on their way to hospital to give birth. We would never want anyone to lose their life because of our protest."
The community has called on authorities to investigate the occupation of the informal structures and address residents' concerns, while law enforcement continues to monitor the situation.