Electricity protests that broke out in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, turned violent after Executive Mayor Conny Nkalitshana failed to de-escalate tensions on the N4, on Thursday.
Emalahleni electricity protests: Here at the latest N4 traffic updates
As reported by Mpumalanga News, Nkalitshana faced hostility from an angry community in Vosman when she turned up to address protesters accompanied by armed police, as well as MMC Vusi Nhlapo, Law Enforcement Superintendent Sibongile Mahlangu, and members of the media.
Before she could fully propose an immediate solution to the electricity crisis in Emalahleni, the mayor was pelted with rocks and forced to retreat behind a shield of public order police.
Certain areas in KwaGuqa have allegedly experienced 16-hour power outages for about a week due to a faulty transformer. According to Nkalitshana, plans were already in place to purchase a replacement transformer and have it installed as early as Friday, 12 May 2023.
However, disgruntled residents were far from pleased with the mayor’s promise.
The protest turned violent, with some protesters reportedly looting trucks and targeting motorists along the N4, a vital road that links Gauteng and Mpumalanga, as well as the countries of Swaziland and Mozambique.
At the time of reporting, the N4 was closed to traffic on both sides and officers were redirecting drivers to alternative routes.
The route was also the scene of a death, on Wednesday. From what we understand, police are investigating the circumstances that led to the murder of a male protester who was shot and killed with live ammunition during the Emalahleni electricity protests.
This is a developing story.
Here are some of the videos of Thursday’s unrest:
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