July 19 @ 12:55
In the early hours today, Sowetans from Protea South and Tladi took to the streets in protest over outages in their area and Kliptown residents took to the streets over the ownership of JOSCHO flats.
Protea South
Protea South residents have taken to the streets after allegedly being without electricity for two months.
The residents have barricaded roads leading into the area which has caused major traffic delays going into Protea Glen.
The residents have also said that they were promised that electricity would be installed for those who do not have it yet by the July 15 but this has not come to fruition according to Walter Mnisi, a resident in the area.
Ward 10 Councillor Joseph Matjila said there was a need to replan electricity installation in the area which was concluded last week and is set to begin in August.
Matjila however does concede that he has not been able to inform the community of these developments as he was away.
He will be holding a public meeting next week as tensions remain high in the area.
Tladi, Zola
Road closed in Zola due to protest action, Bolani Street near Build It is closed due to protest action motorists are advised to use alternative roads.
According to Constable Dakalo Phemula the are few protester at the moment but he indicated that the road is still closed.
“I do not know yet what the community is protesting for but I can confirm that the police are present at the protest,” said Phemula.
According to councillor Mpho Sesedinyane the community of Babinaphiti street at Tladi had no electricity for over 6 weeks now since Mini sub died and Eskom has not been prepared to assist in attending to the challenge of Mini sub saying people are not paying for services as a result the frustation of the community its took toll and resulted in the community taking a step to close all roads at Koma and Eskom in Zola to demand Eskom to fix the box.
Kliptown
There is currently shutdown in Kliptown as Kliptown Flats residents are protesting against JOSHCO, saying that they don’t want to pay rent anymore and that they they want title deeds.
According to Cde Boy Doctor they are protesting agaisnt Joscho, the City of Johannesburg, and the Gauteng premier for failing to reply to their memorandum regarding the issue of owning title deeds at the JOSCHO flats.
” The reason for the shutdown is that we were summoned that the electricty and water will be cutted off, also that people who owe for 60days will be evicted.”
Cde Doctor said that they will continue with the shutdown if the CEO and Chairperson of JOSCHO do not address them.
More to follow.
July 10 @ 11:11
Residents in Meadowlands Zone 8 took to the streets yesterday after three weeks of no electricity due to a exploded transformer.
Residents barricaded roads and burnt tyres in the morning and late afternoon.
The ward councillor Happyboy Molobye said he has logged a call with Eskom to solve the issue. “I went with some delegates from the community on July 5 and Eskom said they would provide feedback, I am currently awaiting feedback from Eskom about the matter,” said Molobye.
Residents wrote petitions and held meetings trying to get the matter resolved but to no avail.
Zone 8 resident Lillian Nemkondeni explained the grievances that they have as residents, “We haven’t had power for the past 3 weeks, when we personally go to Eskom they do not assist us because the councillor is supposed to write to Eskom on our behalf but no one is getting back to us about that ,” said Nemkondeni.
[also read] – Roads blocked following rioting in Mzimhlophe
Another resident Magauta Mohlabane explained how the situation affected them as residents.
“This situation is problematic for us because we cannot get children ready for school and surviving on paraffin stoves and candles is not practical, we are running businesses they are suffering too,” said Mohlabane.
A meeting where a memorandum of understanding was submitted by various ward councillors to Eskom was held today where feedback was said to be provided in the next 7 days, residents however still remain in the dark.
[also read] – ANC Caucus appeals to Eskom to restore electricity in Soweto
On another related incident, angry residents in Protea 6 block 4 near Emndeni blocked the Emndeni Link Road yesterday in protest over electricity cut due to the transformer failure; this comes after they spent 5 weeks without electricity.
Emndeni Link Road was closed by protesters, the protesters threatened to continue with the protest until their electricity is restored.
According to the community leader Nyeko Mahlawule the electricity was cut off when Eskom was repairing the transformer.
Mahlawule said they reported the transformer to Eskom 3 months back when they noticed that it was oil leaking as they faired that it may burst.
“Eskom delayed to come and repair the transformer and when they did come they did not finish the community has been without electricity for 5 weeks, we have been in communication with them they said they will come to fix it but we waited long enough,” said Mahlwawule.
The protesters said the police started to shoot them with a rubber bullet when they attempted to block the R558 high way.
[also read] – Mofolo South residents to continue with the protest till the electricity issue is fixed
“The community got angry when they saw the councillor, myself and others communicate with the police without them that is when they started blocking the road,” he continued.
“I do not understand why the police were shooting at us because this was a peaceful protest we did not vandalize anything, the traffic lights are still standing we were not attacking motorist all we did was block the road because we can see that this the only way we will be listened to,” said Mahlawule.
#EskomGauteng #MediaStatement:
Gauteng residents a threat to Eskom employees
In the week of 17 – 21 June 2019, Eskom offices across Gauteng experienced violent protest marches affecting the ff areas:
Braamfischer + Klipspruit
Ivory Park
Orange Farm
Winterveldt pic.twitter.com/hlRQAqjD7n— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) June 24, 2019
That is not even 5% of Soweto that was protesting….but asikho apho.
I agree with you, Eskom need to write it off cause soze bayinuke lo R18bil. Install prepaid meters.
— Loyiso (@Loyiso) July 9, 2019
Unjani loTata wenu. Zim owes Eskom and he wants to extend the credit line and yet, he's telling people from Soweto to pay? https://t.co/Dihrl3w5zO
— Loyiso (@Loyiso) July 9, 2019
Bro: discuss Soweto's energy woes with Eskom, so they can locate the Soweto main switch and do the Lord's work https://t.co/CiBsRn5hXc
— uMakhathini™ (@Bashton93) July 9, 2019
Gauteng townships have been experiencing stealth load-shedding over the last three weeks, Katlheong where a school was burnt, Soweto, Tembisa and Alexandra have all seen unexplained power cuts but these are supposedly unrelated??? @Eskom_SA @CityPowerJhb
— Akani M (@Akanirelo) July 9, 2019
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