South Africa in flames: Protests flare up across the country on Monday

Service delivery protests spiralled across South Africa on Monday, with disruptive protests reported in Boksburg, Kroonstad and Phoenix.   

South Africa is currently experiencing stage 6 load shedding, resulting in 10 to 12-hour daily power cuts that severely impact businesses and consumers.

Protest hotspots included informal settlements, malls, major highways, and near governmental buildings.

Opposition parties in the country have also expressed their intent to take action against the ongoing electricity predicament.

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Boksburg:

BOKSBURG SERVICE DELIVERY UPDATE:
Calm has been restored and the R554 and Rondebult Road in Boksburg opened to traffic.#EMPD, working together with SAPS, restored law and order following a service delivery protest in the area. The situation is being monitored by law enforcers. pic.twitter.com/er6yhoufdG

— CITY OF EKURHULENI (@City_Ekurhuleni) January 16, 2023

Ekurhuleni metro police spokesperson Deliwe Ndlovu said traffic was severely impacted by the protest.

 “There is a protest at the corner of Rondebult Road and the R554 between Dawn Park and Klippoortjie in Boksburg. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes.” 

Ndlovu said residents were protesting against electricity blackouts in the area.

READ MORE: Police monitoring electricity protests in Boksburg

Phoenix:

????Phoenix Residents Shut Down The Streets????

WATCH ICYMI???? – Residents in Phoenix today took to the streets in protest against the increasing blackouts, bad roads, and lack of service delivery. Residents have complained about going for 40 hours with any electricity. pic.twitter.com/zaQDyrghlc

— The Insight Factor (@insightfactor) January 16, 2023

According to media reports, residents of Phoenix closed off roads by burning tyres following service delivery issues.

Durban metro police spokesperson Boysie Zungu said Durban Metro Public Order Policing (POP) and Saps were at the scene on Sunday night.

“It is alleged some Phoenix residents have been without electricity for two weeks.

“Yesterday, residents blocked off Phoenix Highway.”

IOL reported that community activist Pastor Collin Moodley said they had been without electricity in the Grove End area for over 40 hours.

“This is an ongoing problem. We have normal load shedding, and then the electricity does not return at the stipulated hour.

“Residents are fed up. Our light bills are still exorbitantly high, and now there has been an 18% increase. How does that work?”

Kroonstad:

Kroonstad and Parys in Free State protest. pic.twitter.com/J3gJ7l90Cl

— Banele (@Gentlements) January 16, 2023

Residents in Kroonstad, Free State, also embarked on a shutdown against the ever increasing blackouts.

Nersa increase

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) announced on January 12 that it had approved an 18.65% increase in electricity tariffs for the next financial year.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa previously said his “hands are tied” on Nersa’s decision to hike electricity prices.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa has cancelled his trip to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos to address the energy crisis in the country, the president’s spokesperson said.

“Due to the ongoing energy crisis, President Cyril Ramaphosa has cancelled his working visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos. Currently, the president is convening a meeting with leaders of political parties represented in parliament, National Energy Crisis Committee (NECCOM), and the Eskom board.”

EFF on virtual meeting with Ramaphosa and Eskom

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said it participated in a virtual meeting convened by Ramaphosa, the Eskom board as well as other political parties on Monday.

The party said the president saying that the government is not solely responsible for the provision of electricity and that everyone must take responsibility is untrue.

“This statement is not only objectionable, it is ludicrous and irresponsible because it is solely the ANC government that chose to appoint an incompetent CEO and senior management of Eskom. All the boards and senior management in Eskom are appointed by the ANC government and overseen by an ANC minister.”

Economic Freedom Fighters Statement On The Meeting Convened By Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa And Eskom Board With Political Party Leaders pic.twitter.com/DwABKjj5dA

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) January 16, 2023