Electricity outages spark new Joburg protests

Hot on the heels of violent protests last week in Ennerdale, Finetown and Eldorado Park, there were yet more demonstrations in the south of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni yesterday.

Residents of Weillers Farm, opposite the Grasmere tollgate on the N1, started barricading roads with burning tyres and rocks from 2am yesterday.

They are also demanding improved service delivery.

Motorists were advised not to use the Weillers Farm route.

In Thokoza residents also took to the streets over continuous power interruptions.

Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department spokesperson Khobedi Mokheseng said the protests started on Saturday at about 7pm.

“This was when the power went out and a technician from the city, who was dispatched to the affected areas, had to run for dear life after angry protesters set the car he was travelling in alight.

“The power was eventually restored but it tripped again on Sunday at noon.

“Again residents took to the streets barricading roads before it was restored again,” he said. Mokheseng said yesterday’s protests were sparked by another power outage and led to several roads being barricaded with burning tyres, rocks and rubble.

He said police officers would continue to monitor the situation in the affected areas.

Last week’s protests were marred by violence, arson and looting incidents, prompting senior government officials to intervene.

A meeting was convened between community representatives, Minister of Human Settlements Lindiwe Sisulu and provincial human settlements MEC Paul Mashatile.

More meetings between the authorities and community representatives have been scheduled for this week.

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