UPDATE: City of Ekurhuleni responds to the Thembisa protest
"Among the issues raised by the protesters was the increase in tariffs, arguing that the high standard of living in the country was making it impossible to afford the new rates."
The City of Ekurhuleni said they have agreed to have a meeting with Thembisa residents next week Friday 29 July.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Thembisa roads blocked due to protest action
This after angry and frustrated Thembisans used burning tyres and and other objects to barricade roads in the area on Wednesday 20 July; in a protest against the increased municipal rates, electricity and service delivery.
In a media release issued by the Zweli Dlamini, spokesperson of the City, he said: “This follows an unrest that erupted in the early hours of this morning The situation resulted in some roads littered with debris and burning tyres as residents took to the streets in protest over service-delivery related issues,” the statement read.
He further added: “The protesters made their way from Tembisa to the OR Tambo Government Precinct in Germiston, which is the head office of the City to hand over a memorandum with their grievances to the Executive Mayor Alderman Tania Campbell, who was accompanied by some members of mayoral committee.
“Among the issues raised by the protesters was the increase in tariffs, arguing that the high standard of living in the country was making it impossible to afford the new rates.
“Accepting the memorandum Ald Campbell gave an undertaking that the City will be responding to the issues soon.
“She also highlighted that even though some of the issues like the price of fuel and Eskom tariffs were beyond the City’s control, the metro would ‘see what we can done to assist the community in this regard’.”
The media release went on to say “The City of Ekurhuleni and the marchers then agreed to a meeting on Friday 29 July in Tembisa at which the municipality will be expected to respond to the issues raised in the memorandum of demands.
“It was further resolved that the venue and time will be determined in the next few days.
“The situation in Tembisa remains tense but under tight police surveillance and monitoring.
“The City of Ekurhuleni appeals for peace and stability in the Tembisa township while solutions to their grievances are being sought,” the media release concludes.
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