Eskom has confirmed that its technicians have finally accessed Meadowlands in Soweto to repair faulty cables after weeks of electricity disruptions sparked violent protests in the area.
Residents barricaded roads with stones and burning tires, demanding the restoration of power, which had been cut due to alleged cable theft. Community leaders intervened, urging calm after Eskom committed to resolving the issue.
“We are not happy because technicians keep saying the fault is elsewhere, but we have been left in the dark for too long,” one resident said.
The protests disrupted daily life, with many unable to attend work or school. “I have to miss important lectures because we can’t travel on these roads,” a student lamented.
Eskom thanked the community for clearing debris and allowing access. “Our teams have resumed work, and restoration efforts are back on track,” the utility stated.
Police Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni confirmed that order had been restored, with no reports of property damage. Authorities emphasized the need for “situational appropriateness” in handling unrest.
Eskom says it is working to restore power as soon as possible.