Johannesburg - The police in eMalahleni has confirmed the death of one person who was shot during violent protests over power blackouts and water at Vosman, near Witbank, on Monday.
This happened after hundreds of protesters took to the streets, blocking the N4 Road near KG Mall as well as other roads nearby, demanding immediate intervention in their outcry for electricity and water.
During the heat of the protest, police arrested a few residents for violence and damaging property.
It was revealed that during the protest, a person identified as a female was shot and taken to a hospital, where she passed away.
In a statement issued by Brigadier Selvy Mohlala of the Mpumalanga police, one person has been confirmed dead.
" One person was shot and taken to the hospital; unfortunately, she passed on Monday, November 7, 2022. We are not yet certain who shot the 50-year-old woman. However, an immediate investigation is underway that will look into the allegations that the victim, as well as the other two who reportedly sustained some injuries, were shot by a member or members of the police. The police are on high alert since the violence erupted and then became worse yesterday and have heightened visibility to monitor the situation in the area following the protests, which also affected services."
Another woman, said to be 50-years-old, was also shot in the riots. However, details about who shot her are still being investigated by the police, while other protesters who were allegedly shot by members of the police have also sustained injuries.
During Monday evening, the situation intensified, and protesters in KwaGuqa Extension 5 reportedly turned violent, with reports of looting and torching of the Pick 'n Pay Shopping Center in Extension 5.
Earlier on Monday, protesters demanded that the executive mayor of Emalahleni Local Municipality, Cllr. Connie Nkalitshana addresses the situation.
When Nkalitshana arrived hours later to address the residents, there were thousands of them who chased her away before she could settle the matter with them.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has called for calm following incidents of violent protests at Vosman near Witbank.
The residents claim it's been weeks since they were told that the matter would be attended to.
During the heat of the protest, police arrested a few residents for violence and damaging property.
The Star