Johannesburg - Over 2000 protesters from different communities in Vosman township in Mpumalanga took to the streets on Monday, demanding electricity and water through explosive protests.
The protests emanated from a damaged transformer, resulting in power outages which affected over 40 000 households in the area.
Protesters claimed that they had been without electricity and water for over a month, which they said was affecting their livelihoods.
The electricity and water issues have also disrupted the matriculants as they sat for their final exams.
Local health facilities and local businesses have also not been operating fully because of the power outages.
The infuriated residents were stationed near the N4 road, blocking different points around the residence and demanding the executive mayor of Emalahleni Local Municipality, councillor Connie Nkalitshana, address them.
When Nkalitshana arrived hours later to address the protesters, there were thousands of residents who chased her away before she attempted to settle the matter with them.
Mduduzi Mswati KaNkosi, who is the speaker of the council of eMalahleni Municipality, commented on the issue of electricity, revealing that they have paid for the damaged transformer.
"Yes, they have not had electricity for, I think, the past three weeks, and the municipality's insurance says that they are hard at work, and we have paid for the damaged transformer and our spare. And remember that we do not have enough money as the municipality because it is difficult to generate revenue because people always complain that they are indigent and not working."
He further spoke about the closure of Kusile Power Station and how it has affected the municipality.
"Kusile closed down; Highveld closed down; they can't even pay their bonds. I can just say we also don't have enough money. What we have been assured by the executive and the media statements is that the transformer has been paid."
The Star also spoke with Fani Malika, a resident whose mother was shot and injured during the protest.
Malika, who was not part of the protest, says his mother was going to call her grandchildren when she was struck by a live bullet, which resulted in her ending up in hospital.
"After she heard the sounds of bullets, she decided to fetch her grandchildren from where the riot is. And that is where police shot her with a live bullet," said Malika.
The residents claim it's been weeks since they were told the matter would be attended to immediately.
The heat of the protest led to the police arresting a few residents for violence and damaging property.
A group of police also used rubber bullets to disperse the large crowds as the protesters continued to chant and stone police vehicles nearby until late.
The Star