Riots in Tembisa – 2 killed

Two protesters were fatally wounded in the crossfire between members of the metro police and other demonstrators yesterday morning.

Metro police in Ekurhuleni have warned the public to avoid the area, adding that the situation was volatile.

‘Tembisa is a no-go area, all the roads are still blockaded, [with] burning tyres and rocks. Where I’m currently standing at the CCC, which has also been set alight and there’s looting happening as we speak,’ said EMPD spokesperson Kelebogile Thepe.

Thepe said that members of the SAPS were yet to conduct the necessary investigations.

Tembisa residents are protesting over high rates and electricity bills and said that they would continue until Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell came to the area.

‘I call for calm to be immediately be restored to Tembisa. Citizens have the constitutional right to protest, however, such acts of arson and vandalism to the public infrastructure will not be tolerated,’ said the mayor in a statement.

She said she delegated Members of the Mayoral Committee on Friday to engage the community on the memorandum they had submitted to the city. ‘However, that meeting unfortunately collapsed and failed to reach a resolution.’

Campbell met with Tembisa community leaders on Monday afternoon. Protesters said that Campbell’s failure to show up in person on Friday is what caused the demonstrations to erupt in the morning.

‘And she disrespected us. She didn’t show up to the meeting and we had an appointment with her she didn’t come.’

Campbell’s spokesperson, Phakamile Mbengashe, said that they are hoping to reach an agreement with community leaders in the afternoon.

[Photo: Vumani Mkhize/EWN]