Days without power push Rhodesfield residents to protest
"EMPD was called, not to assist us, but to stop us. We barricaded the roads and they removed the barricades."
Rhodesfield residents protested outside the Ekurhuleni Energy Department in Kempton Park this morning, December 18, after being without electricity for several days and receiving no clear communication from the municipality.
Residents had already visited the department yesterday seeking answers, saying they were losing food and income due to the outage.
They were reportedly told that the municipality was working on the issue, but with no further feedback forthcoming, frustrated residents returned to the department to demand immediate answers.
Resident, Elizabeth Rossouw, said the power outage has severely affected livelihoods and households in the area.
“I am losing business because I run a car wash, and I am also throwing away a lot of food. We have children and mothers who need care, and we can’t do that because there is no water,” Rossouw said.
Also read: Residents left in the dark as Rhodesfield power outage drags on
“We are not taken seriously. There are no answers, and when we arrived here, EMPD was called, not to assist us, but to stop us.
“We barricaded the roads and they removed the barricades. Just when we arrived, that was when the trucks went out. If it wasn’t for the protest, I wonder if anything would have happened.”
City of Ekurhuleni Ward 17 councillor Simon Lapping was called to the department, where he addressed the community.
According to information provided by the Energy Department, electricity restoration is estimated for around 15:00 for Rhodesfield Extension 1, while the CBD is expected to be restored by midnight.
This is a developing story and updates will follow as the protest continues.
