Inhabitants of the Dingaan hostels blockaded Dingaan road in Galeshewe with tree branches and rocks on Friday morning in protest of the new smart prepaid electricity metres that are being installed
Inhabitants of the Dingaan hostels blockaded Dingaan road in Galeshewe with tree branches and rocks on Friday morning, in protest of the new smart prepaid electricity metres that are being installed.
Residents complained that their electricity was blocked and that they did not have money to unblock their metres or pay outstanding accounts.
“We were not given sufficient notice that the old boxes would be replaced. Most of us are unemployed and our food will rot if we do not have power. It is inhumane to leave the elderly without an electricity supply.”
They also complained that the hostels were poorly maintained where the ceilings were collapsing, toilets were not working and the drains were blocked.
“There are massive white rats with long tails, that enter our homes through the ceilings. They eat a whole loaf of bread and even nibble our underwear and bite our feet. The former mayor promised that the hostels would be fixed but up until today nothing has been done.”
A resident added that the rats climbed into their pots while they were cooking food on the stove.
ANC Youth League deputy chairperson for the ward Godfrey Legalamitlwa pointed out that local contractors and beneficiaries from the ward should have been trained as technicians in the roll out of the project.
“They were supposed to employ 75 percent of youths in the area yet companies from outside the province are being brought in. This project is not benefiting the local community.”
Ward 11 councillor Kgotso Kgadiete pointed out that prepaid metre boxes would only be blocked if they were tampered with or if account holders were in arrears.
He indicated that the community was given adequate notice in the media about the installation of the new metres.
“The former mayor Kagisho Sonyoni informed the community about the roll-out during a mayor meets the people meeting. The new mayor Martha Bartlett is scheduled to visit the Dingaan hostels in January.”
Kgadiete added that he would request the municipality to hold off blocking the electricity metres until the new year.
“It is understandably the festive season. Residents do not want to pay as they believe that they are not receiving any services. The satellite office in the area is not functioning and there are historical challenges in the area.”
He stated that the housing section had been sent to inspect and repair the houses.
“Residents did not want to grant them access for fear that their electricity would be blocked.”
