Honeydew Police and JMPD have closed Beyers Naudé Drive between Johan Street and Peter Road.
A few residents from Zandspruit Informal Settlement burnt tyres and rioted along the road in the afternoon of 8 March.
This after police, JMPD, City Power and Eskom held a joint operation to remove all illegal electricity connections in the informal settlement.
Honeydew Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs said they removed the illegal connections due to the spate of electrocution cases that have happened in the past few months.
“The residents are currently rioting, they are not happy with the fact that connections were removed. Tyres are being burnt and stones are being thrown at motorists,” WO Jacobs explained.
She added that the road was currently closed and that they were not sure when it will be reopened.
Initially it appeared calm in the morning when City Power and Eskom employees removed the cables.
Jon Rosenberg from the Honeydew Community Policing Forum (CPF) had commended the authorities for cutting the cables.
He said it was encouraging that some of the problems that were discussed at the CPF meetings were attended to. “It’s good to hear that authorities heed the call and took the action against the illegal connections,” he concluded.
Happening at Zandspruit Honeydew along Beyers Naude drive. pic.twitter.com/8i56GnAmbS
— Alfred (@StallionTours) March 8, 2016
Beyers naude by Zandspruit. Pics obtained from SAPS. Scene is RED. Chopper in the air too. pic.twitter.com/NxcWUzq5jC
— Scarlett Pimpernel (@capvm) March 8, 2016
The fire is not that big,the road have been closed can't go close to the area residents are throwing stones at cars @RoodepoortNorth
— Phathu Luvhengo (@LuvhengoPhathu) March 8, 2016
Details: Honeydew Police, 011 801 8604.
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