Frustration over long electricity outages boiled over in Delft on Tuesday when residents in Leiden took to the streets and vandalised vehicles.

The protest broke out along Delft Main Road at around 5 pm.

Residents said parts of the community had been without electricity for months.

The protest caused major disruption for motorists and followed previous protest action in the area in recent weeks.

Vehicles were pelted with stones, including Golden Arrow buses carrying passengers.

Golden Arrow buses stoned

Golden Arrow Bus Services confirmed that three of its buses were targeted during the protest.

Corporate Affairs and HR Executive John Dammert said no injuries were reported.

“We can confirm that there was protest action. Three buses were stoned. No injuries were reported,” Dammert said.

The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of public transport users and drivers during service-delivery protests.

Buses are often caught in the middle when residents block roads or target vehicles to draw attention to unresolved community issues.

Residents say power has been off for months

Ward councillor Dineo Masiu said residents were still battling the power outage.

She said attempts to get the issue resolved through Eskom had not succeeded.

“Residents are still battling the power outage,” Masiu said.

“For some, their power has been off for three months and others even longer. The residents are fed up because they have logged complaints, but nothing happens.”

The outage has placed pressure on families heading into winter, especially those with young children.

Families struggle without electricity

One resident said she had been without power for three months and was struggling to cook and care for her baby.

“Our power has been off for three months,” she said.

“I have a baby at home, so I need to make food and boil water on a fire, which is dangerous.”

She said she could not rely on neighbours because their electricity was also off.

The resident said monthly grocery shopping had also become difficult because food spoils without a working fridge.

With rain and cold weather expected during winter, residents say the situation has become unbearable.