Fights have broken out among communities in Tembisa as illegal power connections have resulted in several power outages over the past weeks.
Fifty-three people have been arrested.
Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago, spokesperson for the metro police, said the communities of Liliba, Mangweni, Moyeni, Ilidinga and Ndulwini sections have had several power failures due to the illegal electricity connections by residents of the nearby Madelakufa Informal Settlement.
“Tensions reached a boiling point on Tuesday and fights ensued, resulting in damage to property. Realising the minor fights had the potential of escalating to a full-scale war, the police intervened,” Kgasago added.
Police, metro police and energy department personnel launched a special operation on Wednesday from 4am aimed at removing illegal connections and apprehending those responsible for the violence and illegal connections.
Six residents of Madelakufa responsible for the high-scale illegal power connections were arrested, as well as 47 people for public violence. All the illegal connections were removed by City of Ekurhuleni energy department personnel and the damaged boxes fixed.
