Calm restored in Tembisa as mayor makes service delivery promises
Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell assured Tembisa residents on Friday that work was being done to address their grievances.
The mayor addressed a crowd of fewer than 250 people at the Mehlareng Stadium, under heavy police guard, following a week of deadly service delivery protests.
Campbell has been criticised by the Tembisa Community Forum's Xolani Mnisi, who said had she prioritised residents' frustrations earlier, they would not have resorted to violence.
Violence flared up after Campbell was a no-show at a community meeting last week.
"We told her about it, she saw that her unresponsiveness to the community has enraged the community, so her coming here is what we wanted and is a show of faith and she was taking the community into her confidence,” said Mnisi.
Campbell addressed a number of burning issues which fuelled the community's anger.
"With the issue of historic debt, and incorrect billing hanging over your heads and your families. This needs to be rectified immediately.
“We want to assure you that the issue of incorrect billing system is being resolved. We will also ensure that the bills for water, sanitation, rates and taxes are separated from the electricity bill. With the indigent policy, we are in the process of reviewing the indigent policy to ensure that all residents who qualify for the subsidy can be assisted. The amended policy will be gazetted in the public, for public comment."
The mayor said the metro's multi-party government had introduced the debt rehabilitation programme to assist residents with historic debt, amid the rising cost of living.
"We will provide you with a 50% write-off of debt in excess of one year on the date of application and approval, inclusive of rates, service charges, interest and other costs. The scheme will be available to qualifying applicants from 1 July this [year] until 31 March 2023."
She also promised residents would no longer be charged for the issuing and delivery of statements with the introduction of SMS notifications.
At the same time, following the torching of the Rabasotho customer care centre, Campbell announced a new building where the community could access services.
"As you are aware that the customer care building was burned down in the wake of the unrest; we have identified a new facility to ensure that our services continue and that we are provided with our services as residents. This new facility is located at the corner of Star Street and Astroid Street close to the stadium. We appeal to all residents to join hands with us in protecting this facility."
She said investigations into allegations of poor service and corruption by officials working at the centre were being investigated.
Meanwhile, the mayor vowed most of the timeframes attached to the interventions she announced, such as the two-week long open day sessions to educate residents on municipal services, were immediate.
"For instance, the wheely bin rollout will be from Monday, the open days that we are having to assist residents to get to the correct either tariffs or indigent status will be happening as of today. We have done an emergency availability of a building that we will be using as an interim customer care centre to assist our residents."
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