The announcement by the Mayor of the Ekurhuleni Metro, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, that he will temporarily scrap the fixed electricity tariff of R126 (R109 plus VAT) is merely an effort to pacify Tembisa residents.
On Sunday night, residents blocked several main access routes with burning tyres, and heavily armed police and metro police members are still on the scene attempting to keep the situation under control.
The mayor addressed Tembisa residents this afternoon, but they are still unhappy about the tariff hikes, so, Xhakaza promised to engage with Eskom and Nersa.
The mayor’s promise to temporarily scrap the fixed tariff has not been approved by the Council and is, therefore, unconstitutional. His decision carries no legal weight and cannot overturn a council resolution.
False promises should never be made as a panic response to protest action.
The Freedom Front Plus called on the mayor to stop misleading Ekurhuleni residents and, instead, act within the legal framework and in the best interests of all residents.
