Johannesburg - Protests in Mofolo, Soweto, were a reaction to power cuts, Gauteng housing MEC Jacob Mamabolo said on Tuesday.
“The protests are not service delivery related, but are a reaction to Eskom's load-shedding,” he said in a statement.
“Communities are complaining that they have experienced power cuts for three days and have complained this is unequal treatment compared to more affluent suburbs.”
About 100 residents in Mofolo protested on Tuesday, police spokesman Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said earlier.
The protest began on Monday, when residents blockaded roads in the area with rocks and burning tyres.
Eskom implemented deliberate power cuts on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Tuesday spokesman Andrew Etzinger said the power system's capacity remained tight and power cuts could become necessary.
Mamabolo said better communication would reduce people's frustration.
“Our people will understand, especially if all plans are clarified”.
Eskom had power cut schedules on its website. Mamabolo said government could help Eskom to communicate its planned outage schedules.
“Government has an extensive human resource infrastructure that could help explain the schedules and processes and this would include community development workers and ward councillors,” he said.
Sapa