ANGRY gogos, madalas and other residents took to the streets again on Wednesday, 21 September, to demand that rates be lowered.
They also demanded that the amnesty period for those who had illegally connected to the water and electricity network be made permanent.
They marched to the municipal offices in Soshanguve, Tshwane, in their second day of protest.
The municipality recently appealed to those who had made illegal connections to apply for amnesty to avoid fines and criminal charges, from 1 August to 30 September.
It said after the period ended, people who made illegal connections would be fined R200 000 and businesses R10 million, and that it would also lay criminal charges as well.
Resident Angel Makhubela (33) said the looming end of the amnesty period was haunting them.
“The municipality has failed us. We are fighting for our grandparents and don’t want the poorest of the poor to suffer. We need an electricity flat rate,” she said.
Gogo Betty Moyo (72) said she was marching for her children and grandchildren as they were unemployed, and the bills were too high.
Lizzy Khuzwayo (47) said: “The bills are too high. Sometimes we pay R6 000 and on top of that, and we are not working.”
Winnie Boshielo (65) said people were struggling to pay rent.
“We can’t even buy food because all the money goes to rent,” she said.
The SunTeam sent an inquiry to the mayor’s office and municipal department, but hadn’t received a response at the time of going to print.
