Tensions flared outside the Malatjie informal settlement near Botesdal on Thursday as residents took to the streets, burning tyres and blocking parts of Ashanti Road in protest.
What’s happening in Malatjie informal settlement?
The demonstration follows recent action by Eskom, South Africa’s national power utility, which removed illegal electricity connections from the settlement last week.
Police were on the scene to monitor the situation and manage traffic. According to updates from @TrafficSA, the protest has not affected access to Lanseria International Airport.
The road leading to the airport remains open, though authorities have warned drivers to be cautious near the protest zone, especially where smoke and debris may reduce visibility.
Residents of Malatjie are angered by what they describe as a lack of consultation before the disconnections. Many rely on informal power connections to meet basic needs like lighting, cooking, and keeping warm.
With winter approaching, the sudden loss of power has left households in the settlement without any electricity.
According to Eskom, the removal of illegal connections is part of a countrywide operation to protect the power grid and prevent damage caused by unapproved electricity use.
These connections can overload the system, cause fires, and make it difficult to supply stable power to legal users.
“Illegal connections are not only dangerous, they also cost the country millions of rands and put lives at risk,” an Eskom spokesperson has previously said about such operations.
The utility adds that it often faces challenges when trying to remove these connections, especially in areas where residents are already struggling with access to basic services.
The Malatjie informal settlement has long been at the centre of land disputes and service delivery challenges. The community sits on land purchased by a development company called Wraypex, which plans to build a golf estate, hotel, and townhouse complex on the property.
Residents, however, argue that they have been living there since the 1960s and say they have ancestral graves on the land.
Efforts by the local community to prevent eviction and gain access to reliable services have been ongoing. Lanseria International Airport has previously supported the area’s early childhood development centre, Rainbow ECD, by helping provide food and basic care to children.
On Thursday, residents said the power cuts were the final blow after years of neglect and uncertainty. Some expressed concern that removing the illegal connections without offering a legal alternative has worsened living conditions.
Community leaders have called for urgent talks with both Eskom and local government representatives to find a long-term solution. For now, no injuries have been reported, and police continue to monitor the situation closely.
As protests continue, officials say they will work to ensure that the nearby Lanseria Airport and surrounding farming areas remain accessible. The situation remains fluid, and updates are expected as talks progress or tensions escalate.
