Ekurhuleni Protests
Image via Twitter @City_Ekurhuleni
Angry Vosloorus residents stage protest, block roads
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) are at the scene of the unrest
Ekurhuleni Protests
Image via Twitter @City_Ekurhuleni
Parts of Vosloorus have been brought to a standstill on the morning of Monday, 21 September 2020, in the wake of protests which have broken out in the area.
Protesting residents have blocked certain roads with rocks, rubble as well as burning tyres. While it is not yet clear what their grievances are, it is widely believed to be linked to the lack of service delivery.
SAPS and EMPD monitoring situation
Motorists in the area have been advised to seek alternative routes as they travel to work, in the meantime.
The Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) as well as with the South African Police Service (SAPS) are currently in the area, manning the demonstrations
“Looking at the flow of traffic around the city of Ekurhuleni, the intersection of Roets drive and Khoza in Vosloorus area by Dindela, is barricaded with loose stones, rubble and burning tyres due to protest action. It is not clear at this stage, why the demonstration – but we are working together with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies. We are on site, monitoring the situation. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes,” said Kobeli Mokheseng, the spokesperson for EMPD.
“Residents in Vosloorus woke up to barricaded roads following protest action from some members of the community”, the City of Ekurhuleni said in a tweet.
“The following streets are affected: Nguni section(Dindela) Cnr Roets drive & Khoza Str. (Khoza, Jama, Jayiya & Julie)”
Service delivery protests are nothing new in Ekurhuleni, as in July, as many as 20 people were arrested for contravening lockdown regulations, including the curfew. This stemmed from demonstrations over electricity cuts in Eden Park, Thokoza, Phola Park and Reiger Park.
The demonstrations prompted law enforcement to increase visibility in certain areas, after shops were looted and public property was set on fire.
“This comes after incidents of violence and general lawlessness erupted from what started as sporadic service delivery protests related to electricity cuts in the mentioned areas on Wednesday afternoon,” police spokesperson Mathapelo Peters said at the time.
