#ThembisaShutdown: Chaos erupts as community takes to the streets [watch]
The protest allegedly follows the absence of the Ekurhuleni mayor at a meeting to address community grievances last week.
Chaos has erupted after Thembisa residents took their frustration to the streets since early this morning, with reports of protesters shot and infrastructure being set alight.
eNCA reports that two protesters have been killed while videos of a substation and municipal buildings on fire, are being shared on social media.
[BREAKING NEWS] A second Thembisa protester has been killed. #eNCA #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/rc8qBm1vFk
— eNCA (@eNCA) August 1, 2022
The protest follows residents’ disapproval of recent rates increase and the ‘no-show’ of the City of Ekurhuleni Mayor, Tania Campbell, at a meeting where residents were expecting to engage with the mayor and discuss the community’s grievances on Friday.
https://twitter.com/LayLow12195447/status/1553967632696725506
MMC’s arrived at the meeting to represent the mayor and address the community.
According to MMC of Finance, Fanyana Nkosi, the mayor was absent due to supposed illness.
The meeting abruptly ended after Nkosi took to the podium to discuss the community’s financial grievance.
Why burning a power station #Tembisa 🤷🏾♂️🤔😳🤦🏾♂️
You adding more problems to the current situation 🙄🙄 #TembisaShutdown pic.twitter.com/c8uncUduQs
— Thulani Ndaba (@tndaba) August 1, 2022
Xolani Mnisi, Tembisa Community Forum (TCF) media liason, says the forum was aware of the planned protest action and that it was expected after the mayor’s no-show.
Mnisi told The Thembisan that the forum did not orchestrate the #ThembisaShutdown protest and that it was organised by angry residents who want answers.
#Tembisa Customer Care Center is On Fire
Vehicles are burning inside the Thembisa Civic center and some vehicle burning outside on the street.#saps trying to contain the situation…#Tembisashutdown pic.twitter.com/V83EuQ7Ktr— Vehicle Trackers (@VehicleTrackerz) August 1, 2022
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