Sowetans protest over lack of electricity
Dlepu‚ has injuries on her head and claims she was shot at by metro police while walking to work at 5am yesterday.
JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said earlier yesterday there were no reports of injuries‚ damage to property or violence at the #SowetoShutdown protest.
Meanwhile, the organisers of the Soweto mass shutdown say they will try other ways of getting the attention of power utility Eskom following the failure of their planned shutdown.
The campaign gained popularity on Monday after a voice note went viral, warning Sowetans not to go to work or use public transport. However, it was business as usual in most parts of the township with public transport operating normally.
“Many people in parts of Soweto woke up and went onto the streets wanting to be heard as far as Eskom is concerned,” said a spokesperson for the organising committee, Rufus Tsheke. “What happened is that the community did come out and our objective was achieved; what we are asking them [Eskom] is for them to give us an opportunity to meet with them.”
Tsheke cited several reasons for the shutdown including the disconnection of certain houses in Soweto from the power grid, lack of maintenance of some sub-stations and errors in billing. He also accused Eskom of load-shedding Soweto more than any other places.
Soweto currently owes Eskom R18bn in unpaid debt. The electricity protests were expected to continue today.
Eskom spokesperson Sikhonathi Mantshantsha said Eskom was willing to engage with the people of Soweto. He disputed that Soweto was getting more load-shedding than other areas.
“Everyone is treated equally across the country. Whoever has a problem, our staff is there on the ground, they can approach our office. Even those who have a problem with their statements.”