ANGRY residents of Orlando East, Soweto took to the streets again yesterday morning.
On Monday, the residents blocked roads and stormed their local municipal offices, where they burned the customer interface units used to reload prepaid meters. They continued their protest again yesterday, barricading roads and disrupting traffic.
Eskom spokesman Nkosana Sibuyi confirmed that about 2 040 customer units were vandalised. He added that a laptop and a cellphone which belonged to an employee were also stolen.
Nobuntu Nkosi (50), a resident, said: “These prepaid meters are just here to make sure they take each and every cent we have.”
Seth Mazibuko of the Orlando task team said they were still in talks with Eskom when their electricity was switched off on Sunday.
“This is what ignited the anger on the residents.”
JMPD Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar confirmed that the residents blocked most of the busiest streets in the kasi on Monday.
Police spokesman Captain Mavela Masondo confirmed that cases of theft and public violence were opened at Orlando Police Station.
“No arrests have been made.”