Residents say Sol Plaatje Municipality has failed them

PROTESTERS who participated in the ‘shutdown’ in objection to unaffordable electricity prices, were prevented by police and municipal security from attending the ordinary council meeting that took place on July 7.

The council meeting took place behind closed doors where the entrance to the gallery was locked and bolted.

Community leaders pointed out that the public had a right to attend the council meeting.

“What secrets are they trying to hide?” they asked.

There was a heavy police presence and armoured police vehicles stationed outside the municipality.

A call was made to all opposition parties in council to submit an urgent motion of no confidence against the mayor, should he refuse to step aside.

“The mayor must rather go back to class and stay there. We need someone who can hear our cries and implement issues that affect us. Sol Plaatje municipality has failed us.

“Today we are friendly but when we come the next time, we will not be so friendly.

“We are starting with the mayor - he must step down. We are being undermined. It is no use handing over the memorandum if the basic and capacity charges are being implemented behind closed doors,” they stated.

According to the memorandum, the 15,1 percent electricity increase was implemented illegally without proper consultation.

“The community of Sol Plaatje local municipality hereby calls for the immediate resignation of the executive mayor of Sol Plaatje municipality.

“The executive mayor failed to respond to critical issues contained in the memorandum of demands handed over on June 26. Should the mayor refuse to step down, we call upon council to submit an urgent motion of no confidence against him.”

It was indicated that residents were unable to afford the “ridiculous” increase of 15, 1 percent and called on council to reverse this increase on electricity.

“We also call on provincial and national governments to intervene in these unfair tariff approvals from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa where residents are forced to pay for the continued incompetence and corruption in municipalities as well as at state-owned entities.”

The memorandum was accepted in the presence of the mayor, municipal manager and Speaker.