Diepkloof hostel residents protest to demand electricity

07 June 2016 - 18:38 By Pertunia Mafokwane

Residents of the Diepkloof hostel in Soweto braved the chilly weather on Tuesday to protest over the lack of electricity. About 200 residents blockaded roads around the hostel demanding that Member of the Mayoral Committee for Housing (MMC) Dan Bovu deliver on his promise to provide them with electricity by February.Community leader Mxolisi Thusini said they held a meeting with the MMC in November last year at which he had promised that they would have electricity by February."He promised to come back but he never returned. We want electricity. Our children are subjected to the cold and we are not happy‚" he said.Thusini said they sent a letter to Bovu's office in April requesting a meeting with him but he never responded."He is not responding to our letters and he does not answer his phone. What must we do?” he asked.Zabloni Dlamini said he moved into the hostel in 1994. He said criminal activities at the hostel were rife because they live in darkness."We are robbed here all the time because it is dark. Taking a bath is a daily challenge especially when it is cold like this. We register for houses every year but nothing happens. We are tired of living like this‚ we want electricity‚" he said.Police monitored the situation...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.