Residents of Orlando East together with their councillors embarked on a peaceful march to Eskom offices in Diepkloof on Thursday morning.
The march which was supported by the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) was aimed at raising issues pertaining to the introduction of prepaid electricity in the area.
Top of the list of the issues they want to be addressed is that Eskom must immediately stop switching off electricity for owing residents untilled the process of conversion to prepaid is complete in Orlando.
“Eskom should allow residents a chance to choose between prepaid and conventional and a resolution should be reached,” reads the list of demands handed over to Eskom.
For the whole of this week, Orlando East has been plagued by protests due to issues surrounding the introduction of prepaid.
Some residents claim that they have been converted to prepaid by Eskom without their knowledge. Member of the African National Congress (ANC) and leader of the march Bella Motswana said they are worried about what Eskom is doing because it’s dividing the community.
“Today we are taking Eskom heads on. What they promised us is not true. They promised the community that we will be given a choice to choose between prepaid and conventional but they are switching the community to prepaid without informing them,” said Motswana.
Residents are crying foul accusing Eskom of what they termed lack of consultation. Eskom spokesperson Nkosana Sibuyi could not be reached for comment as he was still in a meeting.
