The R126 electricity surcharge in Ekurhuleni has been suspended for two weeks to avoid the escalation of violence.
This is how mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza explained his decision yesterday to put the surcharge on ice. The U-turn follows a two-day protest in Tembisa, which saw main roads being barricaded and traffic disrupted. Residents used street light poles, traffic lights and huge rocks to block roads, while also burning tyres.
Residents said that the fee, which came into effect this month, is an added burden they cant afford.
Addressing a crowd of residents outside the Rabasotho Community Hall yesterday, Xhakaza said he did not want to see further violence in the streets of Tembisa.
Weve heard your cries, he said, but the surcharge is not our problem because the structure of tariffs on municipalities is decided by Eskom and through the National Energy Regulator of SA Nersa. Prices are then approved by Nersa, and we are then guided on the increase and how much we can collect from residents.