Galeshewe electricity protest spreads amid power outage
THE GALESHEWE power protest has spread, with frustrated residents returning to the streets again after the Sol Plaatje Municipality failed to unblock the electricity as promised on Monday morning.
Protest action started early in the morning, with residents from Phomolong Extension, who have been without power since August 8, blockading roads with burning tyres, rocks and rubble.
The residents endured the entire long weekend in darkness, prompting them to block the R31 and John Daka roads, as well as several smaller entrance roads, as they took their anger to the streets.
Sol Plaatje executive mayor Kagisho Sonyoni met with the protesters and assured them that the electricity would be restored.
According to residents, they have been trying to get the municipality to clarify its billing system for many years without success.
In a show of solidarity, residents of Phuthanang also blocked additional roads. Amid the ongoing protest, a transformer blew at a sub-station, causing a widespread power outage in parts of Galeshewe.
The municipal electrical team has been working to restore power, managing to bring electricity back to some areas.
Municipal spokesperson Thabo Mothibi stated that the team had to halt their efforts due to the unrest.
“The area around Thabo Medupi and Samora Machel streets is inaccessible due to barricaded roads,” Mothibi explained.
He added that the team would only be able to attend to the power outage once the situation had normalised.
Earlier on Monday, police spokesperson Colonel Cherelle Ehlers reported that around 300 disgruntled residents blocked the R31 near Phutanang at approximately 8am.
Ehlers added that five individuals were arrested for public violence when the Kimberley Public Order Police dispersed the crowd and reopened the road.