Delmas Police have issued a warning to motorists to avoid the N12 route, as both the Witbank and Johannesburg sides are affected. A notice from the SAPS further warned that stone-throwing incidents have been reported. The protest action, which started yesterday, continues today (July 24). Police are currently monitoring the situation.
According to the community, they are protesting against the high electricity rates, which provide fewer units that do not last the entire month since the increase on July 1. Some community members are complaining that they are unemployed and cannot afford to pay for municipal rates. They are particularly aggrieved by the municipality’s drastic measure of shutting down electricity in their homes as a way to force payment towards their debt, making it difficult for them to proceed with their daily chores. Additionally, some residents reported paying more for electricity than expected and finding that their vouchers did not work, leaving them without electricity for the rest of the month.
Community members are threatening to resort to other measures to keep the lights on if their complaints are not addressed by the municipality. The Executive Mayor of Victor Khanye Local Municipality, Vusi Buda, met with the community yesterday to listen to their grievances. He stated, “People who are not working must go to the municipal offices and apply for relief with proof of unemployment through an affidavit, ID, and bank statements. If one has applied and proven that he or she is not working, then the person will not have to pay.”
