Shutdown over Eskom fails to spark in the area

Residents of Nomzamo section in Soweto blockaded roads with rocks and burning tyres yesterday because they said they’ve been without electricity since May last year.

They said they resorted to protest action because it’s seemingly the only language government understands.

Their protest in Nomzamo, Orlando East, coincided with the planned Soweto shutdown which failed to ignite in other parts of the township.

Area ward councillor Sechaba Khumalo has asked for calm and invited the furious Soweto residents‚ who said they have been without electricity for eight months‚ to join councillors today to march to the Eskom offices in Diepkloof.

He denied claims that councillors were hijacking an already planned protest by Nomzamo residents.

Parts of Soweto were on lockdown yesterday morning‚ and residents have vowed to continue with the shutdown until their electricity is restored.

Community leader Wandile Rhafuza claimed they have made several attempts to engage Eskom on the issue.

Rhafuza disputed claims that residents were not paying for electricity and this is why services were cut.

“The problem is that Eskom has installed faulty meters and when we buy electricity it doesn’t go through‚” he said.

Community members accused metro police of firing rubber bullets at them yesterday morning.

Two women claimed to have sustained injuries at the hands of metro police officers.

“We were at no point violent. They fired rubber bullets at us while we were trying to close the roads with rocks‚” Nomusa Msiza said.

Another resident‚ Andiswa