Roads leading into Warrenton remained closed to traffic on Tuesday as angry community members are demanding that their electricity supply be permanently unblocked and that their debts be written off.
ROADS leading into Warrenton remained closed to traffic on Tuesday as angry community members are demanding that their electricity supply be permanently unblocked and that their debts be written off.
Community members from Warrenvale marched to the Magareng Municipality offices on Monday where they were sprayed with pepper spray after the glass windows were shattered.
The gates of the municipality were closed while tyres were set alight at the entrances and motorists were prevented from passing.
The mayor, Gladys Makena, is expected to address community members.
Community members said they were unhappy after the mayor agreed to unblock their electricity for 14 days to allow them to make payment arrangements.
“We also want the ward 4 councillor to step down with immediate effect. There are no services in Warrenton. The municipality does not deduct payments from our outstanding accounts. Threats were made that the school’s electricity would be cut as it is in arrears although payments are being made.”
Community leader Jan Louw said they would be approaching the court to prevent the municipality from blocking the electricity supply of residents in arrears.
“It is inhumane not to consider the circumstances of elderly and sickly patients who are dependent on oxygen and need to prepare food in order to take their medication.
“The community will hand over a memorandum giving the municipality seven days in which to respond, failing which we will go to court.”
He pointed out that the municipality was on the brink of financial collapse where overdrafts were obtained in order to pay salaries.
“R90 million was spent on the construction of a new water purification plant that is not working and the community is without any water.”
Municipal officials were locked inside the municipality on Monday and were prevented from leaving the premises.
The acting municipal manager, Tumelo Thage, said that the municipality was unable to provide services if ratepayers did not pay for water and electricity usage.
“We have a low collection rate and while it is not what we want to do, the electricity of those in arrears is being blocked because of non-payment. Those who qualify for indigent status should register for limited free services and those who are able to pay must come into the municipality to make payment arrangements.”
Thage added that security would have to be beefed up after municipal property was damaged on Monday.
“We will still have to calculate the extent of the damages. The municipality had to be shut on Monday due to protest action and employees still have to be paid although they are unable to work.”
Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said the N12 and N18 were closed on Monday after the roads were barricaded with rocks and burning tyres.
“The Warrenton SAPS, with the assistance of SAPS Public Order Policing unit, managed to open the roads, allowing flow of traffic at approximately 12.30pm.
“No serious injuries were reported to the SAPS and the police are still monitoring the situation.”
He stated that no charges relating to damage to municipal property had been laid yet.
