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MMC for Environment & Infrastructure Service Department (EISD) Councillor Michael Sun condemns in the strongest possible terms the assault and intimidation of councillors in Soweto on Thursday.

Soweto residents frustrated with a lack of power supply to their communities took their anger out on several Johannesburg city councillors. Councillor Lucas Lufutso of Ward 34 was physically beaten while Councillor Nompumelelo Mazibuko of Ward 33 was taken hostage by residents demanding an end to lengthy blackouts in their area.

“We understand the frustrations and can relate to the anger residents must be feeling due to a lack of electricity but that can never be an excuse to resort to violence,” Cllr. Sun said. 

Electricity to Soweto is supplied directly and managed by Eskom, which cut off power to affected areas due to persistent non-payment. The power entity has thus far refused to engage directly with residents or city officials on the lengthy outages and as such the councillors subjected to the violence have no power to intervene in the hopes of getting power restored. 

“I appeal to the management of Eskom to not shirk their duties. They have a responsibility to engage affected residents in Soweto and cannot leave councillors to the mercy of communities frustrated by lengthy periods in the dark,” Cllr. Sun said.

The Executive Mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse hosted the Energy Indaba this past week to seek new, innovative and sustainable solutions to the city’s electricity challenges and reduce Johannesburg’s reliance on Eskom.

Issued by MMC for Environment & Infrastructure Service Department Michael Sun