Violent protests erupt in Mpophomeni over water, lights
Members of the Public Order Policing unit made their way to Mpophomeni township in uMngeni Municipality on Monday amid violent protests.
Angry residents say electricity is their main concern.
They blocked a section of the R617 route with burning tyres, making it impossible for residents to enter or leave the area.
uMngeni Mayor Chris Pappas says about 150 houses have been left without power after a transformer blew last Tuesday.
He says this was caused by overloading due to illegal connections.
"The municipality has agreed to fix the transformer on condition that we can audit the metres of the affected areas. This is to ensure that we are able to disconnect illegal connections and reconnect those who are buying electricity.
“Fortunately, some of the community members who have been incited through political structures are not happy with that and have now blocked illegally, the R617.”
The Road Traffic Management Cooperation's Zinhle Mali says the road remained closed by 10am on Monday.
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"Whoever wants to go to Mphophomeni can use Edendale Road and join R617 on the Bulwer offramp. We're told that protestors have been making their way to the Howick CBD.
Meanwhile, protests also erupted in Marianhill near Pinetown on Sunday evening.
It also left major routes blocked.
Demonstrators embarked on a service delivery protest overnight which spilled over into neighbouring areas, also affected by power outages and water interruptions.
Some residents in Mariannridge have gone days without lights and water.
