Several areas in Thembisa were brought to a standstill this morning, February 23, as residents protested against the issuing of pre-termination and termination notices for municipal services.

The community has raised ongoing concerns with the City of Ekurhuleni, citing issues such as indigent registration challenges, unstable rates, rapidly increasing electricity tariffs, and service disconnections.

Residents say households have recently been issued with pre-termination letters, which could result in electricity and other services being disconnected pending payment of outstanding amounts, in some cases amounting to thousands of rands per month.

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Community members argue that Thembisa remains one of the highest-paying areas within the metro and that the current situation is placing severe strain on many households.

Frustrations escalated on the evening of February 22 and into the morning of February 23, when residents blocked several roads and business areas, effectively halting daily activities across parts of the township.

@kemptonexpress Thembisa Protests – February 23: Several areas in Thembisa were brought to a standstill this morning, February 23, as residents protested against the issuing of pre-termination and termination notices for municipal services. The community has raised ongoing concerns with the City of Ekurhuleni, citing issues such as indigent registration challenges, unstable rates, rapidly increasing electricity tariffs and service disconnections. Residents say households have recently been issued with pre-termination letters, which could result in electricity and other services being disconnected pending payment of outstanding amounts, in some cases amounting to thousands of rand per month. Community members argue that Thembisa remains one of the highest-paying areas within the metro and that the current situation is placing severe strain on many households. Frustrations escalated on the evening of February 22 and into the morning of February 23, when residents blocked several roads and business areas, effectively halting daily activities across parts of the township. In response to the planned protest, the Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni issued a statement acknowledging residents’ concerns regarding electricity disconnections, termination notices and matters related to the City’s indigent policy. According to the statement, and following consultations with ward councillors and community representatives, the mayor has instructed relevant departments to immediately: · Halt the issuing of pre-termination and termination letters. · Stop the disconnection of services to registered indigent and deemed indigent households pending a comprehensive investigation. · Begin a process, from February 23 to February 27, to progressively restore electricity to households that were disconnected, particularly those registered as indigent or deemed indigent in line with City criteria. · Undertake a review of the City’s indigent policy to ensure it is fair, responsive and aligned with current socio-economic realities. · Initiate a process to scrap outstanding debt for registered indigent and deemed indigent households, subject to verification and policy alignment. The Executive Mayor emphasised that while the City must maintain a culture of payment to ensure financial sustainability, it also has a constitutional obligation to protect vulnerable residents. The statement noted that no qualifying indigent household should be deprived of basic services due to administrative shortcomings or policy gaps. The City has called on residents to remain calm and allow the investigative and review processes to unfold, adding that it remains open to continued dialogue to strengthen service delivery and stability within the community. Meanwhile, police have been deployed to various locations in Thembisa. Reports from the scene indicate that in some instances, officers have resorted to using rubber bullets to disperse crowds. The situation remains tense. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available from the mayor’s office and law enforcement authorities. #kemptonpark #kempton #TiktokNews #Thembisa #ThembisaProtest #ProtestAction #ElectricityDisconnections #CityofEkurhuleni #CoE ♬ original sound – KemptonExpress

Mayor’s office responds

In response to the protest, the executive mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Aladerman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, issued a statement acknowledging residents’ concerns regarding electricity disconnections, termination notices and matters related to the City’s indigent policy.

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According to the statement, and following consultations with ward councillors and community representatives, the mayor has instructed relevant departments to immediately:

• Halt the issuing of pre-termination and termination letters.

• Stop the disconnection of services to registered indigent and deemed indigent households pending a comprehensive investigation.

• Begin a process, from February 23 to February 27, to progressively restore electricity to households that were disconnected, particularly those registered as indigent or deemed indigent in line with City criteria.

• Undertake a review of the City’s indigent policy to ensure it is fair, responsive and aligned with current socio-economic realities.

• Initiate a process to scrap outstanding debt for registered indigent and deemed indigent households, subject to verification and policy alignment.

Xhakaza emphasised that while the City must maintain a culture of payment to ensure financial sustainability, it also has a constitutional obligation to protect vulnerable residents.

Also read: Schools and businesses close amid protest over water

The statement noted that no qualifying indigent household should be deprived of basic services due to administrative shortcomings or policy gaps.

The City has called on residents to remain calm and allow the investigative and review processes to unfold, adding that it remains open to continued dialogue to strengthen service delivery and stability within the community.

Meanwhile, police have been deployed to various locations in Thembisa. Reports from the scene indicate that in some instances, officers have resorted to using rubber bullets to disperse crowds.

The situation remains tense. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available from the mayor’s office and law enforcement authorities.