The simmering anger of Leratong Village residents finally came to the boil on the morning of 10 October.
The informal settlement was without electricity for three days when the protest boiled over onto Randfontein Road. Metal structures that resembled lamp posts, rocks, burning tyres and everyday household items were used as a makeshift blockade.
When truck driver Pierre Viljoen approached the obstructions at approximately 7am he at first thought it was a SAPS roadblock. The next moment stones were pelted at him.
“The other cars turned around but I had difficulty due to the size of my vehicle. A police bakkie stopped and I asked them to stay so I can turn around my truck but they just sped off,” says a visibly shaken Viljoen.
Viljoen was pulled out of the vehicle and fled by foot. The mob then set his truck alight.
SAPS attended to the incident and JMPD closed down the road. According to SAPS spokesperson Vincent Mashiteng, the protesters fled on the arrival of the police contingent.
By 10.25am police started to leave and an uneasy calm hung over the settlement.
