We put Eskom there, they must listen to us: ANC Joburg
"We expect our [state owned] Eskom to respond positively to the demands of the people," branch spokesperson Jodilee Matongo said.
The ANC and the SA National Civic Council handed a memorandum on Thursday afternoon to Eskom's regional office in Diepkloof after marching against power cuts across Soweto during the past weekend.
The memorandum had listed demands including a public apology within 24 hours for a 10 hour long power cut, consultation with ward councillors and committees through public meetings about the installation of new prepaid meters, as well as education and awareness campaigns about the meters.
The memorandum also called for a set amount of money be paid for electricity for households classified by the government, as poor.
The greater part of Soweto was left without electricity for about 10 hours last Friday. Many viewed it as punishment for a protest against prepaid meters by Orlando residents which had taken place earlier that week.
Eskom Gauteng's general manager Bandile Jack said the power cuts were part of Eskom's load shedding schedule which takes all across the country.
He said there was an important need to educated Soweto residents about the prepaid meters and their electricity bills.
"The bill is based on [the household's] consumption... We will try to make them understand."
Matongo said Eskom needed to improve its communication when implementing load shedding in areas.
He said the ANC was not opposing the use of prepaid meters because having a flat rate was an unfair system to use.
"We are opposed to a flat rate but we are agreed on a prepaid system which will encourage people to manage their [electricity consumption].
"A flat rate means everybody pays the same amount which is unfair for me who stays alone in a house to pay R500 and have somebody who is my neighbour paying R500 when they have about 10 people in the household."
Matongo said Eskom's attitude and response to their demands would determine whether any progress on the matter would be made.
Author : Mpho Raborife, News24
NewsWire ID : 3360
(File Photo: Gallo Images)