Three West Village residents have refused to leave the Eskom offices in Randfontein since 15:30 yesterday (Wednesday, June 29).
Outside the offices, a handful of other residents were supporting them in what the leader of the three, Andre Shannon, called a “peaceful sit-in”. This comes after West Village has been without electricity since Sunday (June 26) due to a stolen Eskom cable. West Village’s electricity is supplied by West Rand Power Distributors but they make use of some Eskom infrastructure. The three men, who by 07:30 on Thursday (June 30) were still occupying the building, are refusing to leave until power is restored in West Village.
“We were quite warm and cosy during the night but the support we have been receiving from residents in our area is incredible,” Shannon told the News via cell phone from the offices.
They threatened us last night with the police but nothing came of it. After all, what law are we breaking? Surely these offices are a public space and we have been peaceful and non-violent,” said Shannon.
Community members and family brought them dinner, breakfast, coffee, and Shannon’s insulin.
“What surprises me is that after we started the sit-in Eskom started work in West Village and was busy until 23:00 last night. It seems like our sit-in is working. We will leave once power is restored,” said a determined Shannon.
“We have been supplementing the security here,” he joked before ringing off.
The News is in the process of obtaining comments from the relevant role players.
