Chaos erupts in Eersterust as roads are blockaded and schools shut

Angry residents in Eersterust have brought the community to a standstill today (August 12) as they took to the streets in a fiery protest, blockading roads with burning tyres, rocks, and branches. They allegedly also forced the shutdown of all schools in the area.

14 Protestors have since been arrested for public violence, according to the Tshwane metro.

The dramatic standoff, which began early this morning, has brought the usually calm neighbourhood to boiling point.

Ward 43 councillor Benjamin Lawrence said it was unclear what the cause of the strike was.

Lawrence however said the strike was disrupting several services, such as schooling, transport and business operations.

He said he did not assume the strike was aligned to service delivery matters.

“I do not know the cause of the strike, as it happened very suddenly. The strike does not benefit the community as our services from Tshwane have been interrupted.

“If the strike was due to service delivery, it would’ve been made clear before today, but this strike is currently hampering service delivery.”

Lawrence said he was not sure how long the chaos would last, asserting that waste collection services were already behind.

“This will leave the services falling short again.

“For instance, our bins are collected on a Monday and after struggles from previous weeks, we finally thought it would happen as per the schedule however they are disrupted again today,” he said.

“I have been inundated with requests for letters to assist residents whose employers are not very understanding. Also, parents whose children needed to be at school for tests or exams at university. We are waiting for police to communicate the availability of safe passage in and out of Eersterust,” Lawrence said.

He said there are many platforms to voice opinions and grievances. He added that blocking access to deny others is an infringement of the rights of those who may lose their jobs for staying away.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said he was aware of the protest.

“Police are deployed and are currently on the scene trying to monitor and control the situation,” said Van Dyk.

The Tshwane metro suspended some of its service delivery operations, with the protest still ongoing,

“Due to the demonstrations currently underway, the city has withdrawn its personnel and contracted entities as a precautionary safety measure,” said metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.

He warned that the response to residents’ service complaints such as about power failures, waste collection, burst water pipes and sewer blockages would be delayed due to the ongoing protest.

“The city’s Civic Centre Office that houses customer care walk-in centre and library has been temporarily closed.”

He said some protesters are currently pelting non-striking fellow residents with stones.

“TMPD has been deployed to quell the chaos. The city respects the people’s right to protest, but lawlessness, chaos, violence and intimidation will not be tolerated.”

He said customers who want to make payments, account enquiries and payment arrangements can do so at any of the following customer walk-in centres nearest to them:

• Stanza Bopape: 27401 Rammapudu Street, Mamelodi East

• Silver Lakes: 43 Struben Road (via Graham Road), Shere AH

https://x.com/Abramjee/status/1822873987593977869

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