Public Order Policing (POP) officers arrested community members who were protesting on Monday and Tuesday (March 10 and 11) in the Gorton and Emgangeni areas.
Police arrested 15 protesters on Monday and 11 on Tuesday.
The protest by Loskop residents entered its second week on Monday. The demonstrations began last Monday (March 3) in Gorton and continued this week in Emgangeni.
The community is demanding that the Department of Transport urgently repair the D1237 and D1238 roads.
Additionally, they are calling on Eskom to install a new transformer to ensure that they have access to a reliable electricity supply. The transformer was burnt and the community had to pay for a new one, which they could not initially afford. They eventually raised enough money, but Eskom has not yet installed a new transformer.
Attempts to reach the department’s communications unit were unsuccessful, as the phone went unanswered and enquiries were not replied to.
Also read: Laatz makes it back-to-back wins
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Basheer Khan confirmed that 26 protesters were arrested on Monday and Tuesday. “POP arrested 15 on Monday and 11 yesterday. The 15 that appeared (in court) on Monday were remanded into custody and will appear for a bail application tomorrow (March 13). The 11 that were arrested on Tuesday appeared in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court today. They all face charges of public violence,” said Khan.
It is believed that the protest may have disrupted the start of exams at some schools in the area.
Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!
