Police fired rubber bullets to disperse protesting residents of Cape Town’s Overcome Heights Informal Settlement on Sunday, after the demonstrators tried to hold their local councilor hostage.

A public meeting with Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato turned violent when Plato left; locals barricaded roads and prevented Councillor Demetri Qually from leaving the conference venue, Qually had to be rescued by police.

The mob accused the councilor and the mayor of lying to them; the residents were also angered by Plato’s announcement that they would only receive electricity in their shacks next year.

At least three people were arrested on Sunday afternoon.