A major protest erupted in Thembisa on Monday morning, with residents barricading key entry and exit points using burning tyres and rocks. The shutdown has brought significant disruption to the community, blocking the morning commute for workers and preventing scholar transport from picking up children.
The demonstrations stem from a range of grievances, primarily focused on the City of Ekurhuleni’s new electricity billing system and the enforcement of indigent policies.
Speaking from the scene, a community leader from Hospital View outlined the residents’ frustrations. He alleged that the municipality has implemented policy changes without adequately consulting or informing the community.
“We are having a very big crisis in terms of the enforcement of municipality towards the community regarding the indigent policies,” he said. “When they change their policies, they don’t inform the community.”
According to him, pensioners who were previously registered as indigent and receiving subsidies have had their electricity cut off. He further claimed that residents who purchase prepaid electricity are receiving termination letters for non-payment of municipal bills, despite not owing anything for electricity specifically.
“There’s also been a mixup in terms of the amounts that were paid,” he added, citing the example of a resident who owns one house but is being told she owes for electricity at three other properties.
The protesters expressed frustration with what they perceive as a lack of meaningful engagement from the municipality. They claim that while they notified officials of their intention to protest, they received no communication from the mayor’s office to address their concerns.
“Every time when we attempt to do the strike, it’s only then you will see the mayoral office taking part and promising the community to look at our concerns, whereas it’s just a temporary thing,” he stated. “Honestly speaking, as Thembisa, we are tired of being mistreated.”
The residents are calling for the immediate scrapping of the new enforcement measures and a return to the previous indigent policy. They are demanding equal treatment compared to other areas within Ekurhuleni.
Despite the disruption, the protest has remained calm, with no reports of violence. Demonstrators have been allowing emergency vehicles, including ambulances, to pass through the blockades.
At this stage, no police presence has been observed at the protest sites. The community remains steadfast, vowing to maintain the shutdown until their demands are addressed by the City of Ekurhuleni.