Protest flares after power outage hits parts of Galeshewe

RESIDENTS set tyres alight and barricaded the intersection of Magashule and Seleke streets in Galeshewe on Sunday night after being left without electricity since the early hours of the morning.

The protest action was suspended once the power supply was restored.

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said the electricity department worked on a high-tension cable fault at the Witdam substation in Botsang Street on Sunday afternoon, following a power outage affecting Vergenoeg and Number 5.

He added that power was expected to be restored by around 6pm, once the high-tension cable joint on the feeder line between Magashule and Mathibe streets had been completed.

“Our electricians successfully restored power to parts of Vergenoeg and Number 5 that had been offline since early Sunday morning, at around 8pm on Sunday,” said Mothibi.

“We thank many of the residents for their patience and understanding. We plead for the clearing of the key intersection that has been barricaded with burning tyres.”