Large police presence in Finsbury as fed-up residents take to the streets

There's a large police presence in Finsbury as unhappy residents are protesting about the lack of electricity in the area after a substation exploded recently. They threw rocks and burnt tyres in an effort to render the area ungovernable.

Police officers were hands on this morning in Finsbury, clearing rubble on the road and making way for motorists to pass, following protest action in the area.

There’s a large police presence in Finsbury today (Monday, January 16) in effort to restore calm.

This comes after residents brought the area to a standstill in the early hours of the morning. Residents embarked on a massive protest action regarding the lack of electricity in Finsbury and surrounding areas. They threw rocks and burnt tyres in an effort to render the area ungovernable.

Also read: Residents embark on massive strike over electricity crisis

Calm has been restored in Finsbury, after police intervention. Residents were striking in the early hours of the morning, over the lack of electricity.

This follows the circulation of a poster and message communication declaring a shutdown for today (January 16). There would be no work, school, or businesses, according to the poster.

Also read: Changes to electricity meters in South Africa

Residents said they had been without electricity for more than a week and are starting to feel the pinch due to a substation that exploded recently.

Police presence is high in different parts of Finsbury, following protest action over the lack of electricity in the area.

Speaking to the Herald in an interview, local resident Lesego Mofokeng said they have been in total darkness for way too long.

“We decided to embark on a strike this morning because we are really fed up. We have been without electricity for so long and our government does not seem to care,” said Mofokeng.

Meanwhile, another resident Tsakani Chauke said this has a ripple effect on all residents residing in the plot areas.

Police officers were alert and on the look out for any possible peace disturbance activities in Finsbury this morning.

“We as residents of Finsbury and Kocksoord are truly fed up with this. It’s been more than 11 days without electricity. Our country is really in shambles and people are losing their jobs because of this and businesses are also suffering. Electricity is a necessity but it seems like it has become a luxury in South Africa,” said Chauke.