WATCH: Protest breaks out after the removal illegal connections in Zamimpilo

Zamimpilo demands electricity from Mayor Mashaba.

City Power officials disconnect the electric power lines.

Yesternight angry residents from the Zamimpilo informal settlement in Riverlea took to the streets after officials removed the illegal connections.

Officials from the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, City Power, and the police went into the informal settlement to disconnect electricity cables that have been illegally connected.

In the process, officials made their way to Slovo Park in Coronationville to remove the cables there too. In a conversation with Ward 69 Councillor Genevieve Sherman, the councillor said that it was a joint effort between her and the councillor of Ward 58, Alex Christian, to remove Slovo Parks illegal connections after months of Coronationville residents complaining about the racket caused by a tavern in the informal settlement.

After many complaints, the two councillors agreed to have the cables removed.

“We are aware of all the needs of the individuals in our wards,” said Sherman.

According to Sherman, a housing initiative is currently taking place for the residents of Slovo Park.

Basil Douglas, Councillor of Ward 69, on the other hand, stated that he was unaware of this arrangement and feels as though the regional director or City Power could have at least informed him before going into the informal settlement of Zamimpilo to cut supply.

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Street signs were vandalised, a taxi was set alight, and a Rea-Vaya bus station on Commando Road damaged as a result of the illegal cable connections being removed.

According to eyewitnesses, residents from Zamimpilo were hostile towards the police as they were seen allegedly stoning at the law officers.

Demands from the protestors are that Mayor Herman Mashaba provides them with electricity as a matter of urgency.