Cape Times: Electricity protest turns ugly

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=&art_id=vn20100818044334572C724348

Electricity protest turns ugly

By Caryn Dolley

Fourteen Rylands residents and a baby are in police custody after a protest over electricity became violent.

Stones were hurled at officers, who retaliated by using a water cannon and stun grenades. The protesters also stoned motorists on Pooke Road, alongside their informal settlement on a stretch of privately-owned land, and threatened workers walking in the area.

At the moment, only toilets at the back of the settlement have electricity, but the residents – some who have been without power for more than two decades – do not.

When the Cape Times team arrived at the Pooke se Bos settlement yesterday, black smoke could be seen rising from the burning tyres and debris blocking the road. Rocks and stones were strewn on the tar.
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A group of about 60 residents were shouting at heavily armed officers watching them.

“Give us electricity. We’ve waited so long. We don’t want to fight with you. Just help us,” a woman shouted.

Another said she had waited for electricity for 21 years.

Sitting in his shack nearby, a resident, who did not want to be named, said living without electricity was “exhausting”.

“It’s tough. Especially when it’s cold, we suffer. I cook with gas and struggle to keep my place warm. It’s not fair,” he said.

Police officers then warned the group of residents, milling around on the pavement and threatening to stones cars, to disperse. After a few warnings they had still refused to do so. An officer then threw two stun grenades nearby, causing them to run away. Officers then chased residents and warned them to stay indoors.

Police had earlier used a water cannon to disperse a group after stones were thrown at officers.

Athlone police spokesman Ian Bennett said 14 residents had been arrested for public violence. A baby girl was also being kept with her mother in police custody, at her mother’s request.

Bennett said the 14 would appear in court by tomorrow.

Ward councillor Musthapha Murudker said the city council had initially not been able to provide the residents with electricity because they were on privately-owned land.

About two years ago, the land owner, Kanti Patel, had agreed to let the council install electricity, which had been provided to the toilets. Residents were promised power, but then, due to issues with Eskom, the city council had decided not to do this.

Murudker said he planned to visit the area and meet the residents’ committee.

The Cape Times was not able to reach Patel yesterday.

* This article was originally published on page 1 of Cape Times on August 18, 2010