Pics: Violent Tembisa protests will cost millions in damages

A Customer Care Centre, a power substation including municipal and private vehicles were set alight during the violent protest

The aftermath of violent protests that took place in Tembisa yesterday, pictured on the 2 August 2022 . Picture: Neil McCartney / The Citizen

Local authorities have estimated that the violent protests in Tembisa will cost millions in damages.

They were assessing the area following the demonstrations, which also resulted in four people being killed.

Protestors went on the rampage this week, blocking several roads with rocks and burning tyres over service delivery shortfalls.

ALSO READ: Parts of Tembisa plunged into darkness after substation torched

An Ekurhuleni Municipality Customer Care Centre, a power substation including municipal and private vehicles, were set alight during the violent protest.

The Tembisa community is demanding that Mayor Tania Campbell address their grievances in person.

Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) spokesperson Kelebogile Thepa says they are assessing the damages caused by the shutdown.

“We are just looking at the devastating state of what transpired. Furthermore, inspections will be conducted in relation to the municipal buildings that were set alight.”

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At the same time, the City of Ekurhuleni says it is trying to restore electricity to some parts of Tembisa after a substation was torched, plunging the township and areas into darkness.

“While the city is aware of the current situation regarding the power in the area, unfortunately, our technicians are unable to attend to the problem as the situation in the township remains volatile, putting their lives at risk.”

“The city commits to attend to the outage as soon as the situation on the ground becomes stable and the safety of the workers can be guaranteed,” it said.

Areas that have been affected by the outage include parts of Tembisa 1, Clayville, Olifantsfontein, Winnie Mandela and Birch Acres Extension 23 to 35.

@thecitizen_news The aftermath of violent protests that took place in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni yesterday. Video- Neil McCartney 2 August 2022.#tembisa #protest #civiccentreburnt #violence ♬ Creepy, disturbing, fearful, hunting scenes, malicious intent(1163188) – OCHA CAT SYSTEM

Meanwhile, Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Lebogang Maile, is expected to visit Tembisa on Wednesday.

Maile will use the visit to solicit the underlying reasons that triggered the protest, undertake a site visit to torched public infrastructure and extend condolences to the families who lost their loved ones during the mayhem.