Powerless residents demand answers
Some dissatisfied residents said they would stop paying their rates to the metro because they did not receive the services they paid for.
The residents of Selcourt Estate protested outside the Department of Electricity and Energy on 1st Avenue on June 28.
The disgruntled group’s protest was in response to what they perceived as the metro’s failure to produce a feasibility study, which they claimed was promised to them in May.
“We have been affected by cable theft for so many years. We believe the best option for us is to be removed from Kwa-Thema (grid) to another in Springs or Nigel,” explained Richard Songca, a resident.
The residents claimed they had had recurring power outages for over eight years.
“We met with some officials from the metro in May. They told us they would investigate and come up with a feasibility study.
“The study would explore the options and costs of moving us to another grid,” he explained.
According to Soncga, the metro said the study would be ready and presented to them on June 28.
“They chose this date, but now they tell us they never finished the study and still have to investigate. That is why we chose to stage this protest,” Soncga said.
The group closed off 1st Avenue for hours while they chanted to express their discontent.
“We are paying residents, but they don’t treat us as such. This time we will not take ‘no’ for an answer.
“We will not stop until we get what we want. We have been peaceful until now.
“We will do whatever it takes to get what we want,” said Zakhele Tshabalala, a long-standing resident at the estate.
Some dissatisfied residents said they would stop paying their rates to the metro because they did not receive the services they paid for.
Comment is awaited from the CoE.
