16 arrested in Tembisa protest

30 September 2011 - 10:56 By Sapa
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Sixteen people were arrested during a service delivery protest in Tembisa on Friday, Ekurhuleni metro police said.

Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago said taxi ranks were also barricaded with burning tyres.

"We have been monitoring the situation since midnight," he said.

Residents have been engaged in protests in recent weeks over electricity supply and other basic service delivery issues.

They demanded that Ekurhuleni mayor Mondli Gungubele pay attention to their grievances and assist in resolving them.

The mayor was expected to meet residents next week Wednesday.

"The executive mayor will be listening to the people with the sole purpose of ensuring that whatever issues that are causing the protests in Tembisa are finally laid to rest once and for all," said spokesman Zweli Dlamini.

"Having said that, though, it is advisable that people do not expect a miracle... but they can expect an open and robust engagement on the issues so that at the end of the day everyone leaves the meeting satisfied that all the issues they had were dealt with."

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