Calm restored in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, following protests

Ntuthuzelo Nene
16 October 2025 | 8:56At least 180 disgruntled community members took to the streets on Wednesday night, demanding to be connected to the electricity grid.
The wreckage of an SAPS Nyala that was torched during a service delivery protest near Empolweni informal settlement in Makhaza, Khayelitsha on 15 October 2025. Picture: Ntuthuzelo Nene/EWN
Calm has been restored in Makhaza in Khayelitsha, following protests near Empolweni informal settlement.
At least 180 disgruntled community members took to the streets on Wednesday night, demanding to be connected to the electricity grid.
On Wednesday night, vandals torched a SAPS Nyala amid the chaos.
Traffic police have closed Baden Powell Drive near Makhaza to give authorities time to clear the charred Nyala still blocking the roadway.
Several adjacent streets also remain closed.
[WATCH]
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) October 16, 2025
At least 180 disgruntled community members took to the streets last night demanding to be connected to the electricity grid. They’re accusing the City of Cape Town of blocking Eskom from doing the connections. Ethembeni leader Bulelani Qolani explains @NtuthuzeloNene pic.twitter.com/hIne8MJ4v9
Police said members were attacked while attending to the protest, just before 9PM on Wednesday night.
The responding officers were reversing when they noticed smoke inside the vehicle and jumped out.
No injuries were reported.
A case of attempted murder, public violence, and malicious damage to property is under investigation.
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