Fed-up residents blocked roads leading into parts of Ennerdale, Zakarriyya Park and Lenasia South in Johannesburg as they protested on Friday morning against the occupation of land in the area.

Traffic was diverted and many people were prevented from going to work.

Ennerdale community leader Nolan Jafta said the local residents were angry because the government failed to act.

"Land invasions are massive here. We see people arriving here in big cars to invade government land."

He said the value of property was affected as well as infrastructure, saying that land occupiers stole electricity cables.

"We are faced with regular blackouts while we pay for services. They are also illegally connecting water to their homes. We are also faced with daily water shortages since they arrived."

Jafta has called on the Gauteng government to act before residents start taking the law into their hands.

Another resident, Ellen McKay, said women were afraid to walk alone in the streets.

'"Since we had land invasions, crime is increasing. We are being raped and robbed daily by criminals.

"Some of those land occupiers are people who can afford to buy houses, judging by cars they are driving," she said.

Residents also claimed people were selling government land for as little as R2 500.

News24