Ekurhuleni Mayor temporarily suspends proposed electricity charge following Tembisa strike

Mathipa Phishego

Angry residents of Tembisa embarking on a strike action to oppose the initiated electricity tariff by the City of Ekurhuleni Municipality.

image: supplied

The community of Tembisa have taken their concerns to the streets over the weekends. Following their opposition to the proposed R126 fixed electricity charge in Ekurhuleni Municipality. Monday, July 21 saw the road full of debris with intentions for a total shutdown planned by the protesters.

The community stressed that their Mayor is too arrogant and does not want to meet with them to talk things out. So the best way to catch the municipal attention is by taking their matter to the street. Most people did not report to work, following these strike actions and the few that managed might face transport issues.

Ekurhuleni City Executive Mayor Dr Alderrman Xhakaza was forced to come and address the angry masses, meeting with them outside Rabasotho Hall today. He has suspended the R126 fixed electricity charge.

Dr Xhakaza told angry residents outside Rabasotho Hall, “the fee will be put on hold immediately while the city consults further with NERSA and Eskom.”  The executive mayor also asked the residents to clear the roads of debris.

The community is furiously standing on the strike until the municipality permanently removes the tariff. Residents asked “till when” will the municipality suspend the tariff hikes, they asked for a time-frame which was not given.

“The problem is that we are not working and we pay rent, R100 bill is nothing. So we can not afford it and the municipality wants VAT, What for? Because we were not told about VAT in the first place,” said one of the residents speaking to eNCA News.