Tembisa surcharge 'temporarily' suspended after protests
Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has suspended the controversial electricity surcharge, following residents' disapproval.
From the July 1 residents were expected to fork out R109 for single-phase and over R200 for three-phase connections monthly, whether they use the electricity or not.
These developments led to a violent protest in Tembisa, on Monday morning , as residents voiced their rejection of the new fixed electricity fees.
Police fired bullets at protestors who had barricaded local roads and intersections with burning tyres and debris.
Mayor Xhakaza addressed the residents at the local Rabasotho Community centre.
"This is not our problem as the city, the municipal tariff structure is from Eskom, we are guided by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), just like Rand Water."
"In the meantime, effectively the fixed charged is suspended, but please bring petitions."
Xhakaza called on residents to lodge petitions that will be taken to the City council, for it to have the surcharge be relooked.
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