Locals protect businesses against looters

Kwatsaduza – A high police presence prevented protesters from vandalising businesses and infrastructure during the national shutdown organised by the EFF.

The protest was because of the rolling blackouts and to put pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.

In the early hours of Monday morning, pockets of protest were underway, and main entry points were blocked with rocks, refuse and burning tyres.

On Monday morning, residents blockaded Reitfontein and Joe Mzamani roads and Duduza Taxi Rank with rocks and burning tyres.

The police quickly diffused the protests.

In Kwa-Thema, locals undertook to protect businesses from looting and vandalism. As the day progressed, businesses operated as usual, with residents patrolling the streets.

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Resident Lizwe Matseoyane said they learnt lessons from the previous service delivery protests and the national unrest in 2021 that saw businesses and infrastructure vandalised.

“Some of the businesses have not recovered to date. As it stands, we no longer have traffic lights in the area because of the protest action that got out of hand. We are now forced to drive to the neighbouring areas for services.

“We could not stand back and watch. We benefit from the few spaza shops that remained after the protests, and we refuse further damage,” he added.

Another resident Nomsa Dibeko said they are not against those protesting and will not infringe on their right to demonstrate.

“We also expect them to demonstrate according to the law and not put the safety of others in danger. We received information of a group of people planning to loot businesses for their selfish reasons, and we could not allow such in our area,” she added.