PROTEST ACTION ERUPTS IN MAYIBUYE OVER ELECTRICITY

Tensions reached a boiling point in Mayibuye on Monday morning as community members took to the streets in protest over ongoing electricity outages.

Since the early hours of the morning, Modderfontein Road has been completely blocked with burning tyres, rocks, and other debris, leaving the main route through the area impassable.

The protest action follows a public notice issued by City Power on Sunday evening, 29 June 2025, where the utility announced the suspension of outage response services to the area.

City Power cited safety concerns and incidents of intimidation as reasons for their decision, stating that technicians had been held hostage and threatened during recent operations in Mayibuye.

According to City Power, the widespread use of illegal connections and tampered electricity meters has led to network overloading and multiple unplanned outages in the area.

The utility emphasized that they will not resume services until the community agrees to provide safe and unhindered access for maintenance teams and allows a full audit of electricity meters.

The decision has not sat well with Mayibuye residents, many of whom feel they are being collectively punished despite some households being fully compliant and purchasing electricity legally.

“We are suffering here. We have children, elderly people, and businesses that cannot operate. City Power must come and fix the electricity. We are tired of being in the dark,” said one of the protesting residents.

Traffic disruptions along Modderfontein Road have affected both local commuters and motorists travelling between Tembisa, Ebony Park, and Midrand. Law enforcement agencies were deployed to the area to monitor the situation and ensure public safety, but as of Monday mid-morning, the road remained closed.

City Power has called on community leaders to engage constructively and assist in restoring calm. The utility has reiterated that any interference with electricity infrastructure is not only dangerous but also a criminal offence.

For now, the stand-off between City Power and the Mayibuye community continues, with residents demanding immediate power restoration and City Power insisting on safety guarantees and full compliance before work can resume.