Residents across the Lesedi Local Municipality have launched an online petition calling on the municipality, the Gauteng Provincial Government, and the National Government to intervene in what they describe as unfair electricity disconnections and high rates.

The petition, which has been circulating on local community groups and social media platforms, urges authorities to stop electricity cut-offs affecting residents who say they are already paying their municipal rates.

It highlights the struggles faced by vulnerable groups.

In the petition addressed to the Lesedi Local Municipality, residents write: ”We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who demand an end to the unfair practice of electricity disconnections in our community. Despite paying rates, many residents, including the unemployed, people living with disabilities, and senior citizens, are being unfairly cut off from essential services”

The petition outlines several consequences of the alleged disconnections, including threats to food security, disruptions to small businesses, setbacks in education and healthcare, and increased hardship for unemployed residents.

Residents are calling on the municipality to take several urgent steps, including:

• Immediately stopping electricity disconnections for rate-paying residents.

• Implementing fair and transparent billing systems.

• Providing affordable and accessible electricity options for unemployed residents, senior citizens, people living with disabilities, the sick, and the community.

Community members behind the petition say the rising cost of living, combined with the municipality’s strict enforcement is placing families under immense pressure.

The petition continues to gain traction online as more residents add their signatures and call for government intervention to address what they describe as an escalating crisis in the area.