At least a dozen Tembisa residents injured in running battles with Ekurhuleni police
Officers fired rubber bullets to disperse angry crowds gathered to demonstrate over the high cost of electricity.
Resident in Tembisa take to the streets on 21 July 2025, protesting over the high cost of electricity. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - At least a dozen Tembisa residents have been injured in running battles with police in Ekurhuleni.
Officers fired rubber bullets to disperse angry crowds gathered to demonstrate over the high cost of electricity.
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Residents have blocked main roads with debris, stones, and burning tyres, while heavily armed officers have moved in to clear the streets.
Locals are accusing police of firing into private yards and homes, leaving several people wounded.
Tembisa residents have accused police officers deployed to quell tensions in the area of using unnecessary force.
Some have told EWN that they were inside their homes when rubber bullets were fired through gates and windows.
“Why must they do that? And now, what did they do? They broke my mother’s window. My mom was literally sleeping in her bedroom. A lot of people in my yard got hurt. Even my uncle, even my friend got hurt. For what?”
The residents are frustrated about newly introduced electricity tariffs, saying the high costs make it difficult to keep the lights on.
Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza has called an emergency meeting to finalise a report on potential remedies to the controversial electricity hikes.