Tembisa Protests: Another Man Shot and Killed by Police As Service Delivery Strike Escalates

• Protests in Tembisa, Johannesburg turned violent and led to the death of one person
• The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is expected to head to the township to investigate the circumstances around the death
• Some Tembisa residents have taken to social media to share what has been happening in their community

JOHANNESBURG - The latest reports indicate that two people were shot and killed in Tembisa during a service delivery protest. The second death comes after one person was shot and killed by police on Monday morning.

The individual was killed as Tembisa residents continued with their service delivery protests, which have been going on for over a week. On Monday, 1 August, community members shut down the township, which is situated in Johannesburg, using rocks and burning tyres.

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According to eNCA, the police watchdog, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, has gone to Tembisa to investigate the circumstances that led to the death.

The protests in Tembisa as said to be over electricity issues and the City of Ekhuruleni Mayor Tania Campbell's failure to meet with the community to discuss their grievances, according to EWN.

Ward 4 councillor Mbatane Daniel said that Phaaltse had promised to visit Tembisa and address the issues of service delivery shortages but did not pitch as planned, which angered residents.

Motorists in Tembisa have been urged to take alternative routes and avoid major roads as the strike action continues.

South Africans react

Some South Africans have judged Tembisa residents for protesting in their own neighbourhood and say their grievances will go unheard. While some Tembisa residents have shared pictures and videos of what is happening on the ground.

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Here are some comments:

@Ciccioline3 said:

"That's it. They will bury the service delivery query and focus on the shooting. They lost."

@Balican0729 said:

"This is the "spark" Thabo Mbeki was talking about..."

@jimmy18044683 said:

"Mayor changed electricity tariffs, takes our basic 100 units without communicating with us, what disrespect is that."

Mpumalanga shutdown wrecks havoc for chrome and coal exporters, authorities on high alert for protests

In other news, Briefly News previously reported that the shutdown that took place throughout Mpumalanga has wreaked havoc on the already fragile export industry.

Taxis and trucks blockaded several routes in response to the country’s high fuel prices.

Speaking on the impact felt by chrome producers, Samancor Chrome said the company has contingency plans in place in the event of unplanned blockades. The company told Fin24, that it is unable to quantify the current situation’s impact in its totality.

Source: Briefly News