M&G: Protests rage on in Thembelihle

http://mg.co.za/article/2011-09-09-protests-rage-on-thembelihle

Protests rage on in Thembelihle

Police fired rubber bullets at protesting Thembelihle residents in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, on Friday, Gauteng police said.

“They were blocking the K43 with burning tyres and throwing stones at the police,” said Captain Mbulaheni Netshivhodza.

He said police had asked the crowd to disperse, but they persisted in throwing stones.

The police fired rubber bullets to bring the situation under control and the protesters then “retreated” into the informal settlement.

“Things are under control again now and we are monitoring the situation,” Netshivhodza said.

No arrests had been made, and no serious injuries were reported.

Service delivery protests began in the township on Monday.

About 500 residents barricaded Klipspruit Valley Road with stones and burning tyres until Wednesday morning.

Residents also set fire to three electrical load centres, causing damage of R1.5-million and depriving most of Lenasia extensions nine to 11 of power from Monday night to 3am on Wednesday.

Public lighting had been installed in Thembelihle to improve security in the area, but this infrastructure had been damaged by illegal connections. Citypower said it would remove the illegal connections, but maintain the public lighting. – Sapa