Johannesburg – An operation to cut illegal electricity connections in Alexandra was stopped in its tracks on Thursday morning.
Residends of Riverside barricaded roads with burning tyres and stones when City Power vehicles arrived.
Community members said they will only allow their power to be cut when the city provides them with proper electricity.
The utility said stealing electricity is causing an overload on the network.
“The situation is very volatile,” said City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena.
“Previously, we had to withdraw here because some of the cars were stoned including two of our trucks. We didn’t want the kind of situation that puts the lives of people in danger.”
Attempts to cut off connections in the past have also been abandoned after community members became hostile towards City Power employees.
