JOBURG Mayor Mpho Phalatse has promised to respond to angry Soweto residents’ memorandum of grievances within 14 days.
Scores of residents, led by Operation Dudula, gathered at the Joburg Metro Centre in Braamfontein yesterday, 12 June, following a mini shutdown in Soweto the previous day.
Electricity topped the agenda as residents told the mayor many of them had been without power for months and some even for years.
Phalatse said: “After 14 days, we will call your leadership and give them a progress report and a turnaround plan.”
“I heard you, I love you and we will build Soweto together.”
Residents, mostly gogos, told the mayor about their struggles, saying they were struggling to keep up with rates and taxes. They also complained that prepaid meter rates were too high. One of the gogos said: “We spend almost R4 000 a month on electricity where I live.” My fridge is empty right now. There is no meat.”
Gogo Cando Madikizela said child-headed homes in Diepkloof had been struggling to pay for electricity since they got prepaid meters.
Operation Dudula leader Nhlanhla “Lux” Mohlauli told Phalatse: “You work for the people of Soweto.” We are the real bosses of your office.”
Eskom said in most affected areas the problems was that residents were resistant to the repair process.
The utility said: “To replace or repair the failed electricity infrastructure, Eskom implements a process which starts with an audit.
“A desktop audit was conducted in Soweto and it was found that less than 51% of customers are paying for their electricity usage. It means that customers do not meet the threshold of paying customers.
“People who tampered with meters were identified and issued with a reconnection fee of R6 052.60.”
