Aggrieved city residents, who are objecting to the revised electricity tariffs that will come into effect on July 1, are calling for Sol Plaatje executive mayor Kagisho Sonyoni to resign if the 15 percent increase and the basic and capacity fees are not halted.
AGGRIEVED city residents, who are objecting to the revised electricity tariffs that will come into effect on July 1, are calling for Sol Plaatje executive mayor Kagisho Sonyoni to resign if the 15 percent increase and the basic and capacity fees are not halted.
The Kimberley Action Group, which handed over a memorandum to the municipality on June 26, had not received a response to their list of grievances, as requested, by June 28.
The community organisation is attempting to avert another shutdown of the city after residents indicated that they were “gatvol”.
Kimberley Action Group member Herbert Miller stated that the entire council should be disbanded if the community’s grievances were not taken seriously.
“We have extended the grace period until Friday (today) to allow the municipality a chance to respond as they are still mourning the death of the two officials who died in a car accident.”
Boyce Makodi from the Kimberley Action Group stated that a meeting would take place with business, religious leaders, political leaders, leaders in the non-profit sector and activists on Saturday to find a solution.
“We want as many role-players to unite in making electricity affordable for all. No political regalia or branding will be allowed at these meetings. We do not want this campaign to be turned into a political rally.
“The community is reminded that this memorandum of demands affects all of us and not only a select few. We need to be active within our municipal area to challenge injustices, irregularities and corrupt activities as they arise.”
Makodi added that a mass community meeting would be held on Sunday at the Galeshewe circle at 3pm.
The CEO of the Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nocci), Sharon Steyn, said that business would not accept the increases.
“Small and medium businesses will be forced to close their doors as they will not be able to pay salaries to keep the lights on. The basic charge that will be in the region of R350 is unaffordable for both ratepayers and businesses.”
She indicated that possible options would be to interdict the increases or compel council to revise the new tariffs.
“Another shutdown will be detrimental for the city and will lead to more job losses.”
Community members and businesses feel that the increases have already been steam-rolled through without proper consultation.
A pensioner indicated that she was struggling to pay rent and was not able to afford the new electricity tariffs.
“This is when our power is blocked and we are forced to pay penalties and reconnection fees,” she pointed out.
ANC chief whip Martin White claimed that council undertook a thorough consultation process.
“When council approved the budget it also recommended further consultation on capacity and basic service charges. No capacity and service charges will be implemented on July 1 until the conclusion of public consultation processes.”
He pointed out that council was guided by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) on tariff increases.
White encouraged ward councillors to convene urgent community meetings to engage with residents.
He explained that 25 000 households including indigents would be exempt from paying capacity and service charges.
“Most of the low-cost housing, informal settlements in Galeshewe, Greenpoint and Roodepan will not be affected by the basic charges.”
