Soweto shops looted in electricity protest
A bottle store and a KFC outlet were looted in Dube, Soweto, on Sunday night, apparently during a protest against Eskom installing pre-paid electricity meters in the area, authorities said.
Locals, apparently residents of the Dube Hostel, also tried to break open two ATMs next to the KFC, but police arrived and the culprits fled empty-handed, Gauteng traffic police spokesperson Obed Sibasa said on Monday morning.
He said the violence began at around 19:00. Police spokesperson Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said no arrests were made and nobody was injured.
Some of Soweto’s residents feel entitled to free electricity as it was one of the things promised to them when the country gained democracy in 1994, a local told News24 last month.
On Friday, City Press reported that Eskom has offered Soweto residents a deal where it offers to negotiate on their outstanding bills if they install prepaid meters and start paying for electricity.
The City Press quoted the Gauteng General Manager of Eskom, Bandile Jack, as saying that they are considering wiping the debt of users who agree to install prepaid meters.
Soweto owes Eskom in the region of R8 billion, and has a payment rate of approximately 16%.
More on Eskom
Why Soweto residents want free electricity
Eskom to issue 48 hour warning to non paying municipalities
ANC promised Soweto free electricity
Eskom price hike will drive up theft and non-payment
Soweto owes Eskom more than top 20 defaulting municipalities
Loading ...