EZIBELENI was calm this week after last week’s protest over power cuts and service delivery that rocked the area.
The Rep reported (“Fire in the streets”, March 19) that the streets were blocked with burning tyres and the shops of foreign spaza shop owners looted during protests.
Fifteen people were arrested on charges of tampering with infrastructure and looting. Several foreign owned spaza shops closed for a week fearing further looting.
During a visit by The Rep to the area this week, Corner Spaza Shop in zone three had re-opened on Wednesday after it was emptied out by people who gained entry through the roof.
Owner Sam Tosfosso said the situation was better than last week.
“We had to reopen, things seem to be fine for now because the people are no longer threatening us so we are back to business. We will see how thing go over the next few days but we hope nothing bad happens.”
A spaza shop owner who did not want to be named said the protests had a negative impact on their businesses. “It costs us a lot of money when people come and just take food from our shops when we have not done any wrong to them. We sell bread to some people on credit but they do this to us. We had to go and buy new stock.”
Resident Khayalethu Kamte said the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality had communicated to residents about future power cut times through a loud hailer and notices which were placed in public areas. “It is much better when they tell us when the electricity is going off and the causes of it so at least people know what is happening and do not have to protest. We can now prepare in time.”
He said the looting of spaza shops was due to community anger.
“It is totally wrong for people to do that but when people are angry and feel like their grievances are not heard they resort to anything.”
Police spokesman Captain Namhla Mdleleni said the arrested people were released and there were no further reported incidents.
