Tembisa residents angry at electricity tariff hike
Angry residents of Tembisa have taken to the streets in protest against the 9% electricity tariff hike implemented by the City of Ekurhuleni.
Scores of community members from one of Gauteng's biggest townships barricaded main roads with debris and burning tyres from the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini says while residents have a right to protest, there is no need for violence.
"It's quite a very unfortunate scenario. However, people have a right to protest or to raise their concerns through the means of a protest. The people of Tembisa did raise an issue and did apply for the protest today. We are going to be having a public meeting in Tembisa next week on 29 July. We are studying all the issues and we are going to be responding.
"The primary issue is the issue of the electricity tariffs. They've also raised the issue of the free basic services."
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Ekurhuleni metro police says Kelebogile Thipa says the situation was calm by lunchtime on Wednesday.
"By the looks of things it seems like people are rather contained but there is some resistance here and there but nothing that causes concern.
"Ours is to monitor the situation and ensure that the participants including the dispersing therefore are conducted in the same manner."
A meeting between the community and Mayor Tania Campbell is set to take place next Friday.
