Mayor convenes urgent meeting to resolve volatile Thembisa protest
Residents clash with officers hurling stones at their vehicles. Picture: Screengrab
As the protest in Thembisa intensifies, Ekurhuleni executive mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has convened an emergency meeting with the relevant stakeholders on the electricity tariffs.
Police fired rubber bullets at protesters in the township on Monday, where angry residents took to the streets over high electricity prices.
Urgent meeting
The area remains volatile as residents clash with officers, hurling stones at their vehicles.
Xhakaza's acting spokesperson Ramatolo Tlotleng said the mayor has noted with serious concern the public outcry regarding the fixed charge on electricity tariffs.
'In an attempt to resolve the impasse, the executive mayor convened an emergency meeting with the relevant stakeholders. The emergency meeting resolved to direct the departments of energy and finance to finalise their comprehensive reports on what can possibly be considered.
'As part of the commitment to inclusive governance and accountability, a follow-up and feedback meeting will be held at 11am on 21 July between all relevant stakeholders.
'This includes local councillors, civic organisations and representatives from affected communities to ensure that there is an amicable way forward,' Tlotleng said.
[WATCH] Police fire rubber bullets at protesting Thembisa residents in Ekurhuleni as they throw stones at the officers. The community is protesting against electricity tariff increases. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/bbcN9p205K — Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 21, 2025
ALSO READ: Traffic delays after residents shut down Tembisa over electricity tariff hike [VIDEO]
Calls for calm
Tlotleng said Xhakaza remains committed to engaging openly with its residents and stakeholders while working diligently to resolve the current impasse.
'We urge calm and a cease of the protest as we navigate this process in the interests of the people of Ekurhuleni.'
Residents started gathering at around midnight on Sunday. They blocked roads with rocks, burning tyres and debris. Taxis are currently not operating in the area.
One disgruntled resident told the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) they want the fixed tariff hike scrapped.
'The imposed tariffs and the fixed charge that they are saying they're going to be touching residents for through deducting from their electricity kilowatt hours, we want all of that scrapped.'
Affected routes
EMPD spokesperson Katlego Mphahlele said that some routes have been affected, including Link Road, Sam Molele Drive, Brian Mazibuko Drive, George Nyanga Drive, RTJ Namane Drive and Jabu Mdunge Drive, which are still barricaded with rocks, burning tyres and mobile toilets.
'No participants have been reported thus far. Both EMPD and SA Police Service officers are on scene monitoring the situation.'
Motorists have been warned to avoid the area and use alternative routes on Monday.
ALSO READ: Calm in Tembisa after taxi drivers force passengers out of cars
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
How Ekurhuleni under-charged Tembisa for electricity
The council must find a solution to the tariff mess. Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza is expected to present a report to council on Thursday about the suspension of certain fixed charges for electricity. But the mess might be bigger than the city's communications indicate. Xhakaza recently suspended the fixed charge of R109.78 (excluding Vat) for specifically single-phase non-indigent households (A2 tariffs) following violent protest in Tembisa, where residents were furious about the charge. This was already an 54% increase compared with the previous year. The suspension was meant to: Enable comprehensive, inclusive and orderly engagement with affected communities. Ensure that legitimate concerns raised by residents were systematically and effectively addressed. Mitigate the risk of recurrence of destructive and violent events such as those experienced in Tembisa during 2022. In a press release issued on 22 July, Xhakaza explains at great length that Ekurhuleni is compelled by the energy regulator Nersa to levy fixed charges 'aimed at ensuring adequate investment in infrastructure maintenance, long-term sustainability of electricity supply and equitable distribution of operational costs across all communities.' He further emphasises that the charges are informed by a cost-of-supply (CoS) study. ALSO READ: Traffic delays after residents shut down Thembisa over electricity tariff hike [VIDEO] What Xhakaza failed to admit, is that the only fixed charge Ekurhuleni could lawfully have implemented is much higher, at R142.51 and that these consumers are not the only ones who are lawfully required to pay considerably more than the amount implemented. To complicate matters further, on 1 July Ekurhuleni implemented the higher tariffs Nersa approved. After a storm of protest from councillors who relied on the numbers they approved with the budget, the city 'corrected its mistake' and reverted to the lower council-approved tariffs a day later. The amounts in the budget, which are currently implemented, and those Ekurhuleni asked Nersa to approve, differ substantially regarding residential customers in terms of fixed charges as well as the unit cost. ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni mayor to suspend electricity tariff hike after protests in Thembisa Nersa approved exactly what Ekurhuleni applied for. Schedule F – approved by council A2 Residential – non-indigent Nersa approved: Source: A resident of Ekurhuleni with a single-phase connection that is on this tariff, currently pays R627 (excluding Vat) if he uses 200 kWh/m according to the council-approved tariffs, while the tariffs approved by Nersa would have resulted in a bill of R708.25 for the same amount of electricity. The difference is more than 12% for single-phase customers. Those with a three-phase connection using the same amount of electricity would see an even bigger difference of 15%. That means Ekurhuleni added a considerable mark-up to the tariffs it consulted the public on and approved in council. Whether it was a mistake or a deliberate effort to mislead council and consumers about the extent of the increase, is not clear. ALSO READ: Experts warn of unintended consequences of giving in to Thembisa demands Moneyweb tried to engage the city about the matter, but was told by a spokesperson that the electricity tariffs are expected to be discussed in council on Thursday. Following Xhakaza's statement that the tariffs are based on a CoS study, the question arises how the city then arrived at two different sets of tariffs and if the council-approved tariffs that he quoted are indeed cost-based, why it would submit higher tariffs to Nersa that would result in an over-recovery. Further, did Nersa interrogate how the city arrived at the numbers? Electricity pricing expert Deon Conradie confirms that Ekurhuleni is not permitted to implement a different charge than was approved by Nersa, unless it goes back and applies for a change in the approved rates. He is of the opinion that the council as implementor can decide not to implement the tariff charge and take the loss of income on the chin, or stop the implementation temporarily until they have received approval from Nersa to change the tariff. How big that loss will be, is not clear at this stage. In the statement announcing the suspension, the city however states that the decision was taken after 'assessment of potential risks.' Several sources told Moneyweb they are trying to engage Nersa on the matter. Moneyweb sent questions to Nersa on 8 July, but has not received a response, despite several efforts to follow up on the enquiry. Nersa for the first time this year published both the tariff applications it received from municipalities as well as the approved tariffs. Conradie advises consumers in all municipalities to check these tariffs against those approved by council to make sure there are no discrepancies. This article was republished from Moneyweb. Read the original here.
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli demands answers from MECs over corruption allegations
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli demands answers from MECs Sipho Hlomuka and Nomagugu Simelane over corruption allegations, vowing swift action once investigations into procurement and contract irregularities are complete. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has demanded written explanations from two of his provincial executive members following serious corruption allegations, and has promised action 'without fear or favour' once he receives their formal responses. Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka is accused of interfering in the R2.9 billion National School Nutrition Programme bidding process. Allegations have emerged that a company he helped start in 2017 is involved in the current tender process. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika earlier this week, Hlomuka claimed he had long since distanced himself from the company. Hlomuka denied current involvement with a company linked to the tender, stating: "In 2015, I opened the company, and I've been participating in several government and private services, but currently I don't own any company." "I am no longer part of the company. Hence, I'm not aware of its activities. If it has received any tenders, that information will come out in the investigation. Let's wait for the process,'' he said. Ntuli said he had contacted both MECs as soon as he became aware of the claims. 'Indeed, when I received these allegations, I did call to alert them, I would be writing to them so that they give me full information regarding the allegations. Hence, I'm waiting for their response by tomorrow, latest by Monday,' he said. Asked whether he believes Hlomuka, Ntuli said the investigation would determine whether any laws were broken in the procurement process. "There are two things: whether the process itself was conducted with integrity or whether there were violations of the laws that regulate the process. Then if it did not, the problem starts," Ntuli said. 'The process will even in fact, point to who has to be held accountable for what might have happened.' Ntuli insisted his office would not shy away from taking decisive action. 'I will take appropriate actions. As soon as I receive the reports, that will inform me what exactly to do. I'm not afraid to take a step because the allegations are serious,' he told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika. Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane is also under scrutiny over claims that her family business may have benefited improperly from government contracts. Ntuli confirmed he requested a formal explanation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'The only matter that I requested the MEC to provide information about was the one that links her family to benefiting from the provincial government,' he said. Asked about a separate claim involving Simelane allegedly influencing the dismissal of a radio Vuma FM presenter, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, Ntuli said he was only aware of it through 'corridor information' and had received no formal complaint. Ntuli added that Simelane denied any involvement. 'There is no one who complained about that issue. That radio personality never complained, and the radio station never submitted anything to that effect.' Ntuli said he would update the public next week. 'Before the end of next week, I will apprise the public of the appropriate action.' 'There is no space for any wrongdoing in our government. Any acts of maladministration, corruption will always find consequences.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
IOL News
22-07-2025
- IOL News
Joburg urged to scrap fixed electricity surcharge after Ekurhuleni decision
Protesters block roads in Tembisa with rocks as protest turns ugly over the newly implemented electricity tariffs by the City of Ekurhuleni. Image: Supplied/EMPD ActionSA has thrown down the gauntlet to the City of Joburg and all Gauteng municipalities, after the Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, suspended the controversial fixed electricity surcharge. Calling the Ekurhuleni decision a wake-up call to municipalities, the party's Gauteng Provincial Chairperson, Funzi Ngobeni, said: 'It is no longer acceptable to balance municipal budgets by squeezing the most vulnerable residents while protecting bloated expenditure and inefficiencies in city administrations.'' This comes in the wake of public outrage and violent protests in Tembisa, where police resorted to firing rubber bullets to disperse crowds. The unrest was sparked by the City of Ekurhuleni's implementation of new electricity tariffs, which came into effect on July 1 for the 2025/26 financial year. ActionSA said the latest development reaffirms its long-standing position that the electricity surcharges are unjust, anti-poor, and were imposed without proper public consultation. The party said that the halted surcharge in Ekurhuleni is similar to the R230 monthly fixed fee levied on prepaid electricity users in Johannesburg. "These fees disproportionately affect poor and working-class households who are already battling rising food prices, unemployment, and service failures." He further stated that ActionSA plans to write to the Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to request public hearings on the implementation of fixed electricity charges across municipalities. He stressed that Gauteng residents deserve to be heard, not punished, adding that the violent protests in Tembisa were both unfortunate and could have been avoided with proper public engagement. "Leadership should never wait for protest before acting; it should act on principle and in defence of the people." Ngubeni stressed that the ANC-EFF coalition in Johannesburg must urgently scrap the fixed electricity surcharge, which has fuelled growing frustration among residents. In contrast, he pointed out that in Tshwane, under a coalition led by ActionSA, no such surcharge has been introduced, demonstrating that there are better, more people-centred alternatives. Earlier this week, Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa admitted that electricity prices have become unbearably high, placing a heavy burden on households who are now faced with the difficult choice between putting food on the table or keeping the lights on. The Democratic Alliance's Ekurhuleni caucus leader, Brandon Pretorius, said the DA firmly opposed the implementation of the surcharge from the outset, warning that it would place already struggling residents in a dire position, forcing them to choose between heating their homes or putting food on the table. The DA also stated that they have written to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, urging the regulator to investigate what they described as flawed calculations in justifying the controversial surcharge figures. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has expressed their solidarity with the people of Tembisa who embarked on an electricity surcharge protest on Monday morning. The EFF has described this service charge as unreasonable because of widespread poverty and concerning unemployment figures in the region. The Star [email protected]
