Shutdown deaths in Ekurhuleni area raise anger among locals

Memorials, meetings and escalating emotions followed the violent and devastating incidents that hit Thembisa on August 1 and the following days.

ALSO READ: #ThembisaShutdown: CoE suspends burial services

Thembisans took to the streets to show their frustration with the City of Ekurhuleni.

What was supposed to be a peaceful protest, the #ThembisaShutdown protest led to damage to infrastructure and property and the loss of four lives.

In recent weeks frustrations grew as residents raised objections and marched in opposition to rate increases and lack of service delivery.

Thembisan previously reported that the community led by the Tembisa Community Forum (TCF) travelled to the CoE council chambers in Germiston on July 20 to hand over a memorandum.

The memorandum of grievances included billing queries, unsatisfactory service from customer care centre staff and claims of tariff inequalities between various townships in the city.

It was also reported that a group, not part of the march to Germiston, stayed behind in the township to protest and showcase their aggravation.

ALSO READ: Parts of Thembisa without power following protest

Xolani Mnisi, TCF spokesperson, said at the time that due to a misunderstanding among the locals regarding the march, it turned into a violent situation that the forum was against and did not organise nor support.

“The community returned from Germiston with information that the Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell would be meeting the community on July 29 to address our grievances.

“Residents were met with disappointment on July 29 when they were met by the mayor’s representative and not the mayor,” said Mnisi.

The community settled into the Rabasotho Community Hall in Thembisa where they were addressed by MMC of Finance Fanyana Nkosi who said CoE reserved the package of 100 free electricity units for indigent residents.

This was met with dissatisfaction. Nkosi added that several residents in Thembisa owe CoE money.

Residents argued that most residents are jeopardised in terms of service delivery due to those who owe money.
Nkosi advised residents they can still apply for indigent households to receive free basic services.

The community ended the meeting and exited the hall. In a media briefing, Nkosi said the mayor did not attend the meeting as she was off sick, hence MMC attended.

ALSO READ: CoE condemns destruction of infrastructure in Thembisa

“Unfortunately some of the demands of the July 20 memorandum are not feasible and beyond the council resolution and finances,” said Nkosi.

He expressed the belief that the meeting had not collapsed.

“We will continue doing our workshops with the residents and counsellors must keep residents informed on issues regarding services when they hold their ward meetings,” added Nkosi.

Tension remained in Thembisa after the meeting ended.

“We as the TCF are not calling for any illegal protest but there is the possibility of a strike or shutdown.

The forum exists to conduct business formally and if the community decides to do otherwise, we cannot stop them,” said Mnisi on July 29.

Monday

By August 1, Thembisa went into shutdown for most of the day.

“There were gatherings from midnight and by 04:00 it had turned into a full protest. Major roads were blocked,” said EMPD spokesperson Kelebogile Thepa.

“When we tried to re-open roads, people blocked other entrances. The entire Thembisa was closed,” said Thepa.
The situation grew more violent as the day progressed.

Added to blocked roads, burning tyres were on the streets and vehicles on the Thembisa customer care centre premises were set alight. ATM’s were also damaged.

“Reports that the police stations in Rabasotho and the Thembisa South were set alight were not true,” said Rabasotho SAPS spokesperson Patricia Mgijima.

ALSO READ: Campbell calls for calm to be restored in Thembisa

The burning of the care centre added to the tension in the township.

The escalating violence was followed by a press statement issued by Campbell’s office on Monday afternoon when she said residents have the constitutional right to protest.

“Acts of arson and vandalism to public infrastructure will not be tolerated,” added Campbell.

She said that CoE was concerned that the riots and violence were orchestrated to render the township ungovernable.

“CoE believes the destruction and disorder is politically motivated and intended to undermine the progress of the new administration,” said Campbell on Monday.

Riots continued and looting followed as the protest opened the door for opportunists and criminal activity.

“Looting started in small stores and the EMPD tried to keep things calm. Two people were shot,” said Thepa.

It is alleged that they had been shot by EMPD. “Internal affairs have been notified and investigations have been launched,” she said.

It is believed that the remaining two died when the ATM machines were set alight.

The mayor called for calm in Thembisa and said CoE does not support violence and destruction.

When asked why she had not attended the Friday meeting she stated that she had been sick.

 ALSO READ: WATCH: Thembisa roads blocked due to protest action

“I cannot be everywhere. So when there is a meeting attended by the MMCs they do so to give feedback to the communities. They speak on my behalf,” said Campbell.

Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and CoGTA Lebogang Maile and Campbell visited some of the deceased’s families on August 3.

At the time of going to print on August 4, the mayor undertook to meet with residents on August 5 to respond to their memorandum of grievances submitted to the city.

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