Mob anarchy due to police removing illegal electricity connections
Residents of Gugulethu Informal Settlement were throwing stones at passing motorists and blocking Welgedacht Road on Monday and Tuesday (October 18).
According to Clifford Shonge, EMPD spokesman, the residents burnt down a power station.
“It is not yet clear why they set the power station,” he said.
Bakerton resident Ashim Ramnayaran (34) was on his way home from the CBD at 6.45pm on Monday, when his vehicle was stoned.
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“I was petrified and can’t believe people can do this to another person,” he says.
During that time, he noticed that street poles were cut off and were blocking the road – he also noticed a vehicle turned on its roof.
The car was set alight and the wreckage is still visible in Welgedacht Road.
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Strong EMPD and SAPS presence was visible until Tuesday evening.
Ward councillor Ramesh Sheodin confirmed the residents were throwing stones at several vehicles.
“It’s believed the residents were upset over the illegal electrical connections that the police removed the week before,” he explained.
