Following days of sporadic protests in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell caught to her promise of assembly the residents on Friday.
Addressing the group on the Mehlareng Stadium within the morning, she responded to their memorandum of grievances.
MAYOR CAMPBELL SENDS CONDOLENCES TO THOSE WHO DIED IN TEMBISA PROTEST
The township skilled highway blockages and violence earlier this week throughout the protests. This led to the dying of 4 individuals, two of whom allegedly died whereas making an attempt to bomb an ATM.
“My deepest condolences for the loss of lives that we have had during the riot period. To give absolute respect, I ask if we can have a minute of silence,” she began the tackle.
ALSO READ: Tembisa protest to proceed till promised assembly with Mayor
EIGHT THINGS MAYOR CAMPBELL PROMISED THE TEMBISA COMMUNITY
Among the problems raised by the group of their memorandum are excessive billing queries, unsatisfactory service from buyer care centre employees and alleged tariff inequalities between varied townships within the City of Ekurhuleni.
After Eskom pulled out their electrical energy provide throughout the protest, and the burning of a substation left components of Tembisa at nighttime, energy has been restored.
“We are pleased that electricity has been restored in most parts of Tembisa after the destruction of the substation a few days ago. This is the first step which we have taken in restoring services and normality to the community.”
Mayor Tania Campbell
1. Debt reduction measures
The City will develop an aggressive debt rehabilitation programme to cope with historic debt.
“We will provide you with a 50% write-off of debt in excess of one year on the date of application approval.”
This contains writing off charges, service expenses, curiosity and different prices.
“The scheme will be available to qualifying applicants from 1 July 2022 until 31 March 2023.”
ALSO READ: Tembisa protests orchestrated to make township ungovernable – Mayor
2. Billing system
As the group complained about excessive electrical energy billing in Tembisa, Campbell mentioned these can be rectified instantly.
“We want to assure you that the issue of the inaccurate billing system is being resolved. We will also ensure that bills for water, sanitation, rates and taxes are separated from the electricity bill,” mentioned Campbell.
3. Indigent coverage
The City is within the technique of reviewing the indigent coverage in order that those that qualify for subsidies might be assisted. The amended coverage will quickly be gazetted for public remark, mentioned Campbell.
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4. Property charges and taxes that are over-valued can be assessed
Property house owners that imagine their properties are over-valued and have by no means objected or despatched a question kind to the City can submit a Section 78 question kind at any City of Ekurhuleni buyer care centre. The course of will run till the top of the valuation roll on 30 June 2024.
ALSO READ: Tembisa residents left powerless due to burned substation and Eskom
5. Notice service expenses can be despatched through SMS
Services expenses will now be despatched through the SMS system to notify all residents of their account being in arrears. This implies that residents will now not be charged for administration and supply of cut-off discover letters.
“We urge all residents to ensure that they are registered on the Siyakhokha online portal so that you can start receiving SMS and email communication regarding your accounts,” mentioned Campbell.
6. Residents to obtain 1000’s of wheelie bins for waste administration
The City of Ekurhuleni will distribute 27 000 wheelie bins to households within the subsequent few days. This is to assist curb unlawful dumping in Tembisa, mentioned Campbell.
“We will also clean up all the illegal dumping sites around Tembisa. We appeal to members of the community to stop illegal dumping and conserve the environment.”
7. Tembisa residents to get 100 free electrical energy items
The City of Ekurhuleni may also proceed to present 50kws of free fundamental items.
“The 100kws free basic units are outside of our due restrictions as a municipality, therefore we are engaging with the provincial and national governments to find a solution.”
ALSO READ: Tembisa protest: Damage estimated to be R35m says Mayor Campbell
8. Incompetent buyer care service employees to be handled
Residents have complained about buyer care service employees who’re unprofessional. Campbell says buyer care centres will function six days every week, from Monday to Saturday. On Saturday, the centres will function till 13:00.
“Our centres will no longer close at lunchtime. The issue of unprofessional behaviour by our staff members is receiving my attention. I have instructed the administration to investigate incidents of bribery, corruption and collusion with so-called lawyers who stealing your hard-earned money,” Campbell mentioned.
A brand new facility can be opened for residents after they torched a buyer care centre throughout the protests.
Campbell says this difficulty can be handled throughout the two-week lengthy Open Day to help in making certain that each family is billed below the right tariff.
