Tekwane South community blocks off road over electricity cut-off
The community members burnt some tyres and closed off the main road with some debris.
A large group of angry protesters from Tekwane South blocked the main road between Karino and KaNyamazane off earlier today, February 7. They burnt tyres and used some debris to block this road in protest against Eskom ‘unceremoniously’ cutting off the electricity supply to the area.
They claimed there had been no electricity in the area for three days.
The police’s Public Order Policing Unit monitored the situation with an eagle eye.
Some men who claimed to be of the City of Mbombela (CoM) addressed the members of the community and promised to interact with Eskom for a solution. This after the community’s leaders said some Eskom officials escorted by the police had gone from house to house to cut each residence’s power individually. “Although this was initially done against the residents who had illegal connections in their homes, the electricity was later cut for everyone. Eskom did not warn us about this, they just pounced like criminals. All we want now is for Eskom to switch on the electricity and announce it the next time they come,” a community leader who opted to remain anonymous said. “We agree there are some people who have illegal connections in their homes, and those are the ones Eskom must deal with. Those who are paying for electricity must not be affected at all.”.
@lowvelder WATCH: The Tekwane community has blocked the main road between Karino and KaNyamazane. They are protesting against Eskom for switching off their electricity without warning. The police are monitoring the situation. Video: Riot Hlatshwayo
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In response, the men who claimed to be representing the CoM promised the community that they would call Eskom and pass on the community’s request. “We shall engage Eskom about your message. We believe the electricity will be restored after the engagements. Eskom must also come down and address you,” said one of the men.
Attempts to get comment from Eskom itself proved fruitless.
The CoM’s spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, insisted the municipality was not involved in addressing the Tekwane South residents. “As much as the councillor there is from the CoM, we do not know the faceless people who claimed to be representing the municipality. We were not involved in the matter,” said Ngala.
A provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, said there was nothing wrong with the police escorting Eskom officials to go and do their work. “Our duty as the police is to make sure that everybody, including officials from Eskom, is safe. We serve the community without fear or favour,” she said.
