The LPM in Protea South have been resisting the planned forced removal to the peripheral dumping ground of Doorkop, and plans to force them into a transit camp, for some years.
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‘We also have the right to see the Word Cup’
May 24 2010 at 11:56AM
By Nontobeko Mtshali
A clash between Protea South residents over electricity saw the area being left in the cold and dark on Sunday night.
Residents from one section fought off shack dwellers who get their electricity from illegal connections in the developed area.
When the power supply tripped because of the heavy load, residents in the developed area dismantled the illegal connections at the main supply, eliciting an angry response from shack dwellers.
Residents from the informal settlement then gathered at a sports field and demanded electricity wires be reconnected.
“They must leave us alone. We’re taking electricity from Eskom, not from them,” said a resident who lives at Protea South’s informal settlement.
The man, who did not want to be identified, said residents from the developed area acted as if they were the only ones entitled to power and services.
“We all voted… all of us have the right to electricity. We also have the right to see the Word Cup. They feel they’re special because they have money.
“The electricity we use does not come from their meters, as we connect at the main supply. Let Eskom deal with us.”
Residents from the informal settlement said they had approached Eskom and the local government, but received no response from the utility and no assistance from councillors.
Protea South councillor Mapule Khumalo said the area was not connected to the electricity grid because feasibility studies showed the area was not suitable for development.
Processes were under way to move the residents to Doornkop, where RDP houses were being built, and the council had made plans with Eskom to provide temporary electricity for informal residents.
* This article was originally published on page 2 of The Star on May 24, 2010