Residents of the Merafong Local Municipality (Carletonville, Fochville, Wedela) took to the streets this morning in protest against ongoing water and electricity supply problems.
Traffic flow at the busy N12 highway and R500 intersection was disrupted after dozens of residents torched tyres and blocked the road with rocks.
The root of their frustration is twofold: Many residents do not have water after Rand Water reduced the water supply to Merafong by 40% at the beginning of the month. The step was taken after die outstanding debt to the utility company climbed to more than R1,4 billion. Negotiations stalled after Rand Water demanded, among other things, a payment of around R180 million.
To top it all off, parts of Welverdiend have been without electricity for nine days due to two faulty transformers – one of which (5MVA) will most likely only be repaired by Tuesday afternoon.
There is no timeline for when the second transformer (10MVA) is expected to be repaired and brought back online.
These protests highlight why it is necessary to call in law enforcement from outside the affected areas to safeguard debt collectors, as residents target local law enforcement. In addition, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) demands severe consequences for councillors who make empty promises about free services to residents.
The party will keep fighting for all Merafong residents’ rights at the highest level of government.
