Shop owners find body in torched business

Riots over power cuts disrupt matric exams

A body was discovered yesterday in one of the shops set alight by protesters in KwaGuqa in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga. Residents, who have had no electricity for three weeks, went on the rampage on Monday, burning the KwaGuqa Mall looting shops, and torching a Pick n Pay.

A 50-year-old woman was shot and killed during the protest and police have launched an investigation.

The body was discovered after the fire was put out, spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala said. “Owners of the shops went in to assess the damage in the morning and stumbled on a body of a male that was badly burnt. He could be aged between 25 and 30.

“No-one has come forward to claim the body,” he said.

The protest also led to the disruption of grade 12 examinations as pupils could not go to school partly because roads leading to Emalahleni had been barricaded with burning tyres and rocks.

“One person was shot and taken to hospital, unfortunately she passed on yesterday. We are not yet certain who shot the woman, however, an immediate investigation is under way, which will look into allegations that the victim, as well as two other people who reportedly sustained injuries, were shot by police.”

He said the police were on high alert. “Preliminary report indicates that the incident follows power blackouts, …for the past weeks. All entrance and exit roads were barricaded with stones and burning tyres. Members of the public order police as well as other police units are working to ensure the situation is normalised.

“The situation was tense on Monday evening with protests in KwaGuqa turning violent, with reports of looting and torching of the Pick n Pay shop. Police remain in the area and motorists are urged to drive with caution along the N4. Two cases of public violence have been opened.”