Update: Peace, electricity and murder threats

Peace and the electricity in Tshepisong have been restored after four days of violent protests mainly by youths.

When the Record arrived at Leratong Village on the afternoon of 17 October the SAPS’ Tactical Response Team (TRT) was patrolling the streets and maintaining the peace but there was a twist to the day’s events.

Local DA community leader David Masima was tipped off on the same morning by an anonymous taxi driver that members of Dobsonville Roodepoort Leratong Johannesburg Taxi Association (Dorljota) was out to kill him since he was thought to be the instigator of the riots. Masima says at first he took it as a joke but became wary when members of the taxi association were seen at the entrance of the settlement asking where Masima lives.

When the Record came back out of the settlement there was an ad hoc meeting between residents and Dorljota spokesperson Zeblon Simelane where he gave them the assurance that he only came to build relations and ask the community not to target their vehicles anymore when protesting.

In return Dorljota undertook to make their vehicles available to the community for transport to funerals.

Simelane strongly denied that any Dorljota members were out to kill Masima.