Police arrested four more suspects following a looting spree at the Zandspruit Informal Settlement on the evening of 16 March.
Gauteng Police spokesperson Lieutenant Kay Makhubela confirmed that two vehicles were torched overnight and businesses operating close to the settlement were looted. “We are monitoring the area,” he said.
This morning police were still battling to disperse violent protestors with rubber bullets and teargas but this did not stop them from continuing with the protest.
Makhubela said no new injuries were reported during the evening. However, since the protest began on the evening of 15 March, Honeydew Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs confirmed that seven police officers were injured. ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said that four male residents, a female caregiver and a six-month-old child were injured.
A total of 10 suspects have been arrested for malicious damage to property and business break-ins since the protest began.
Residents have barricaded Marina Street with rocks, tree logs and burning tyres. Parts of Beyers Naudé Drive at the informal settlement remained closed and motorists were advised to use alternative routes.
Many shops were looted last night during protests in Zandspruit & at least 1 was set alight. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/SC41g9xDhO
— Jamaine Krige (@jour_maine) March 17, 2016
#Zandspruit Several businesses have been looted overnight. TK pic.twitter.com/gFB0sNkcu1
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) March 17, 2016
More photos as the #Zandspruit service delivery protests continue #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/KYQZIcP1qn
— Jamaine Krige (@jour_maine) March 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/CICArsa/status/710387928363569152
Eskom remained resolute that they will not reconnect the power in Honeydew Plot 52.
“We received a letter from the Department of Labour last week Friday about the safety in the area,” explained Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe.
He said they started disconnecting electricity from 14 March and they will only reconnect legally connected residents when all the stakeholders agreed that it is safe to do so.
“Remember those residents from Zandspruit had illegally connected wires from street lights across Beyers Naudé Drive. This is very dangerous,” he explained.
According to Phasiwe, the decision was essentially taken for safety reasons. “We received instruction to disconnect the area after many people were electrocuted and it resulted in fatalities,” he said.
Details: Gauteng Police, 079 522 4245; Eskom, 011 800 3304.
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