Protesters stone passing motorists

Residents of the Princess informal settlement near Roodepoort protest on Albertina Sisulu Road (Formerly Main Reef Road).Residents are protesting a lack of housing and service delivery in the area. Picture: Wesley Fester 210114

Residents of the Princess informal settlement near Roodepoort protest on Albertina Sisulu Road (Formerly Main Reef Road).Residents are protesting a lack of housing and service delivery in the area. Picture: Wesley Fester 210114

Published Aug 14, 2014

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Mossel Bay - Protesters in Kwanonqaba in Mossel Bay threw stones at motorists during a protest over electricity connections on Thursday morning, Western Cape police said.

“There were sporadic incidents of stone throwing, but we intervened and it has calmed down now,” said Captain Malcolm Pojie.

“There is police visibility in the area to maintain order.”

No injuries were reported.

Hundreds of residents have been protesting since Sunday over the disconnection of electricity. Roads have been barricaded, tyres burnt, and shops looted.

Police said 34 people were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday for public violence and looting.

A municipal building, situated next to the police station, was also set alight.

At the time, Pojie said protesters tried to burn down the station, but police prevented it.

Protesters threw petrol bombs at police, who fired rubber bullets and teargas to disperse the crowd.

There were no reports of injuries.

Pojie told Sapa the 34 appeared in Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

“They were released on a warning and told to reappear on September 14,” he said.

On Wednesday, Eyewitness News reported that the Mossel Bay municipality had agreed to reconnect illegal electricity in Kwanonqaba after three days of protests.

Sapa

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