Frustrated residents of Leratong took to the streets on Wednesday, blocking roads and burning tires in protest against ongoing poor service delivery, particularly the prolonged lack of electricity in the area.
The demonstration, which turned disruptive, saw residents—including unemployed community members and schoolchildren—demanding immediate intervention from City Power. Protesters barricaded a major road, preventing vehicles from passing, though they allowed ambulances through to reach a nearby hospital.
Residents Voice Their Frustrations
A reporter spoke to residents who expressed anger over years of neglect. One resident, highlighted unemployment and the lack of basic services as key grievances.
“We have been in the dark for weeks, some even longer,” he said. “Our children can’t study for exams, and no one is listening to us.”
City Power claims it has attempted to install metered boxes to regulate electricity distribution but alleges resistance from the community. However, residents argue they have waited nearly three decades for proper infrastructure.
A female resident, who declined to be named, stated: “We’ve been here for 27 years. Every winter, we struggle. We don’t refuse to pay—we just want the services we were promised.”
Escalating Tensions
The protest turned volatile at times, with some individuals throwing stones and debris. A truck driver attempting to bypass the barricade lost control and abandoned his vehicle, which was later left stranded in the middle of the road.
Students in school uniforms also joined the protest, lamenting that the lack of electricity has disrupted their studies ahead of preliminary exams.
City Power’s Response
City Power maintains that illegal connections and an overloaded system have exacerbated the electricity crisis. The utility insists that installing metered boxes is essential but says community cooperation is needed.
As tensions simmer, authorities are monitoring the situation, though no immediate resolution has been reached. The protest reflects a broader pattern of service delivery frustrations across Johannesburg, where similar demonstrations have erupted in recent months.