Residents in parts of Soweto have vowed to intensify their protest action if their power is not restored. Some residents have been protesting since Monday morning, blocking major roads with rocks and burning tyres over electricity issues in the area. Earlier, the protesters barricaded the N1.
The freeway has since been reopened but the Soweto Highway next to Diepkloof remains closed. Authorities have dismantled many illegal connections. Traffic was badly affected as protesters placed rocks and burning tyres on the Soweto Highway at the intersection with Immink drive.
Anger and frustration are what some Diepkloof residents expressed as they took to the streets to voice annoyance with power utility Eskom.
“They must come house to house and tell us how much we owe. We threw meat away because it’s been over 2 weeks without electricity. We went to the N1 but we were shot at. Please Ramaphosa come to us,” says a resident.
They were dispersed with rubber bullets as they blocked the N1 freeway close to the Rand Show premises. They chose to continue their demonstration on the Soweto Highway next to Diepkloof.
“We can’t bath, our fridges are off, the meat is off. That is why we are out here. We have been having meetings with our councillor but she is failing us,” says another resident.
Source: News365
In other news – Award-winning poet Don Mattera hospitalised
Iconic South African poet and author, Dr Don Mattera has been hospitalised.
The award-winning poet was admitted to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on Saturday, in what appears to have been a slight stroke that is yet to be confirmed by physicians. He was rushed to the hospital after he experienced limited use of his arms. Learn more
