The so-called public participation process conducted by the ANC/EFF-controlled Ekurhuleni Metro regarding the proposed electricity tariffs for the 2025/26 financial year is just for show and misleading residents.
The notice of public meetings issued on 11 September 2025 provides for only three meetings at the Boksburg Civic Centre, the Rabasotho Hall in Thembisa and the KwaThema Community Centre.
This forces residents from areas such as Germiston, Alberton, Thokoza, Benoni, Kempton Park, Edenvale, Brakpan, Springs and Nigel to travel long, often inaccessible, distances to attend these public meetings.
Limiting access to the meetings in this way discriminates against residents who do not have the financial means or transport to travel those distances.
With less than two weeks’ notice, this public participation process violates the requirement of 30 days’ notice in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and the Municipal Systems Act’s stipulation regarding accessible venues.
It also ignores requests for proper advertising and communication, revealing a secretive, manipulative agenda aimed at suppressing resistance and later falsely claiming public participation.
In the opinion of the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus), this is just an election gimmick that undermines democracy and delves into residents’ pockets, especially those of large taxpayers likely to lodge objections.
The lack of transparency and legality is unacceptable, as electricity tariffs affect every household and business.
The Freedom Front Plus demands alternative dates and venues spread across the affected regions, 30 days’ notice, widespread advertisements and a special council meeting regarding the process. If necessary, the Freedom Front Plus will invoke the Metro Council’s standing rules to enforce this.
Despite these injustices, the Freedom Front Plus will keep informing communities of their rights, encouraging them to participate and make their voices heard.
