RESIDENTS swarmed the streets of Tshiawelo yesterday vandalising electricity boxes to express their dismay at "expensive" prepaid electricity
On Wednesday last week, the community beat some Eskom employees who had come to the area, escorted by police, to disconnect residents who had bridged their electricity connections.
Yesterday, Sowetan witnessed police standing by as hundreds of residents flooded the streets, shielding a team that was breaking the locks to some of the electricity boxes.
They started bridging electricity for everyone and reconnecting those who had been cut off by Eskom.
Community leader Isaac Makaraba said: "This electricity is too expensive. The government and Eskom is only targeting ward 11 and 12. It is not fair. They must remove them until it is in other townships and areas of Soweto.
"It is unacceptable that R50 worth of electricity will last only one day," Makaraba said.
He said neither Eskom nor the Johannesburg council consulted residents about the installation of green electricity boxes on the streets.
Nomsa Lihlo said: "We no longer use our geysers. We do not use heaters. We just cook with the electricity but R500 will last you a maximum of a week. Many of us here are unemployed and many are pensioners. How does one afford R2000 of electricity?" Lihlo asked.
She accused Eskom of underhand tactics. "They go to taverns and get our children, while drunk, to sign papers giving consent for them to go into our yards and connect their prepaid meters."
Resident Muvhulawa Mmbudzeni said: "We are ready for any action. This community is declaring war against Eskom. As citizens of Tshiawelo we cannot pay electricity for the whole of Soweto. The police must not make the mistake of arresting anyone . it will be war."
PAC spokesperson Lihlohonolo Shale said the party "understands and sympathises with the community in their protest. For a long time people have been complaining but their leadership is not being taken seriously by the government".
Eskom spokesperson Tumi Moloi confirmed that employees were attacked in Tshiawelo last week. "Less than 10 employees were held hostage, threatened and intimidated. A case has been opened," she said.
Shocked
RESIDENTS swarmed the streets of Tshiawelo yesterday vandalising electricity boxes to express their dismay at "expensive" prepaid electricity
On Wednesday last week, the community beat some Eskom employees who had come to the area, escorted by police, to disconnect residents who had bridged their electricity connections.
Yesterday, Sowetan witnessed police standing by as hundreds of residents flooded the streets, shielding a team that was breaking the locks to some of the electricity boxes.
They started bridging electricity for everyone and reconnecting those who had been cut off by Eskom.
Community leader Isaac Makaraba said: "This electricity is too expensive. The government and Eskom is only targeting ward 11 and 12. It is not fair. They must remove them until it is in other townships and areas of Soweto.
"It is unacceptable that R50 worth of electricity will last only one day," Makaraba said.
He said neither Eskom nor the Johannesburg council consulted residents about the installation of green electricity boxes on the streets.
Nomsa Lihlo said: "We no longer use our geysers. We do not use heaters. We just cook with the electricity but R500 will last you a maximum of a week. Many of us here are unemployed and many are pensioners. How does one afford R2000 of electricity?" Lihlo asked.
She accused Eskom of underhand tactics. "They go to taverns and get our children, while drunk, to sign papers giving consent for them to go into our yards and connect their prepaid meters."
Resident Muvhulawa Mmbudzeni said: "We are ready for any action. This community is declaring war against Eskom. As citizens of Tshiawelo we cannot pay electricity for the whole of Soweto. The police must not make the mistake of arresting anyone . it will be war."
PAC spokesperson Lihlohonolo Shale said the party "understands and sympathises with the community in their protest. For a long time people have been complaining but their leadership is not being taken seriously by the government".
Eskom spokesperson Tumi Moloi confirmed that employees were attacked in Tshiawelo last week. "Less than 10 employees were held hostage, threatened and intimidated. A case has been opened," she said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos