Protesting
Soweto residents claim police BRUTALITY
Wednesday 6 May 2015 20:33
SABC
Soweto residents say police have
beat up some of them during a protest against Eskom’s prepaid electricity
meters. (SABC)
Residents
of Orlando West in Soweto have accused police of beating up some people who
were arrested during Wednesday's protests. Police have dispersed the
protesting residents who'd barricaded several streets in the area.
One of the resident, Sibusiso Radebe, describes how police ended the protest. "They just started shooting at us with rubber bullets, and teargas was being thrown at us. So now apparently they've arrested three or four guys down there. They caught those guys, they beat them there and put them in a police van. But we've tried to be non-violent people, no damaging of property. But they came and shot at us, so now the guys are a bit angry."
The protest followed an unsuccessful meeting with Eskom officials. The residents are demanding Eskom to remove prepaid electricity meters. They want to pay a flat rate of no more than R400 per household per month for electricity.
A community leader in Orlando West, Faith Vanqa, says the current system is too expensive for the majority of residents.
"We have a problem with the prepaid that they have installed. We tried to write letters to Eskom to say let them come and address us, but instead they sent their agents. When Eskom started this they didn't consult with us. There are some pensioners that doesn't understand how this works because the way it is its so expensive."
Eskom has said it can't comply with residents' demand to pay a flat rate because energy regulator Nersa makes no provision for flat rates.
One of the resident, Sibusiso Radebe, describes how police ended the protest. "They just started shooting at us with rubber bullets, and teargas was being thrown at us. So now apparently they've arrested three or four guys down there. They caught those guys, they beat them there and put them in a police van. But we've tried to be non-violent people, no damaging of property. But they came and shot at us, so now the guys are a bit angry."
The protest followed an unsuccessful meeting with Eskom officials. The residents are demanding Eskom to remove prepaid electricity meters. They want to pay a flat rate of no more than R400 per household per month for electricity.
A community leader in Orlando West, Faith Vanqa, says the current system is too expensive for the majority of residents.
"We have a problem with the prepaid that they have installed. We tried to write letters to Eskom to say let them come and address us, but instead they sent their agents. When Eskom started this they didn't consult with us. There are some pensioners that doesn't understand how this works because the way it is its so expensive."
Eskom has said it can't comply with residents' demand to pay a flat rate because energy regulator Nersa makes no provision for flat rates.
