SABIE – Chaos erupted on Thursday morning at the Nelspruit/Sabie turn-off on the Long Tom Pass when about 8 000 protesters blockaded roads, burned tires and threw stones at oncoming traffic.

This comes after Thaba Chweu Municipality (TCM) had disconnected several illegal connections in the town. According to Mr Jandre Stander of Phoenix Flying Squad, K9 and Mounted Security, he was contacted on Monday by TCM about possible guarded protection for the disconnection of the various illegal connections in Sabie.

“I advised them to go and speak to my colleague in Sabie, Mr Johan Nkosi.

I told them that they should consider a riot unit should disruptions occur.”
Stander said that TCM never pitched to discuss the quotation and protection. “They, however, continued to disconnect the electricity without providing anyone with a heads-up.

Nkosi went to see the station commander at Sabie SAPS on Wednesday and told him about the planned protest that would take place on Thursday. He told him to be prepared for a riot on account of the disconnection of the illegal connections.”

Came Thursday morning, no police were in sight when more than 8 000 protesters gathered at various assembly points in town. Tires were burnt, vehicles blocked, motorists intimidated and vehicles thrown with stones in the absence of the police.

Stander then had to call Col Arrie de Beer of Nelspruit SAPS to send out riot control from White River. Thousands of protesters were still barricading roads in town by the time of going to print. Only 18 riot police officers were available and were recruited to control the thousands protesters.
According to Mr Puleng Mapheto, communications officer at TCM, they did disconnect the illegal connection. “TCM is paying for the illegal electricity being used by those with these connections. It is unfair for them to strike about something that they do not pay for.

I am not sure whether the police were briefed should a riot occur. It is within our right to disconnect these connections. On account of these illegal connections, Eskom is threatening to cut off the bulk electricity supply to TCM.

It is our right to switch them off. We apologise to the loyal paying customers and are working on a suitable solution to the problem.”