Mamelodi residents vowed to fight the metro’s Tshwane ya tima campaign until their billing problems were sorted out. Ward councillors called a public meeting to stop the campaign, aimed at disconnecting services to residents who are behind on their municipal bills.

The meeting was held last Friday at BP garage taxi rank and the councillors say they are willing to risk losing their jobs to stop the campaign.

“We can’t allow the metro to come here and cut the cables without addressing the billing issues,” says councillor Ananias Mogalusi.

The metro recently hosted an outreach programme to help the residents with their bills but Mogalusi says the programme did not assist the people.

“Two days are not enough for the people of Mamelodi to resolve their billing issues. Also not all the departments were present and some residents were referred to offices in the CBD for help,” says Mogalusi.

“The metro must bring all the departments and invite the entire community,” he says.

“We are not saying people must not pay for electricity, but we must engage with those who qualify for indigent assistance and those who need to make payment arrangements.”

“We stand together as ward councillors and represent the community. The metro must do the right thing.”

A resident, Ben Mokgopa says he is happy that the councillors are on their side.

He says they have been complaining about the high rates for a long time – but no one was willing to help.

“We have high unemployment. Child-headed families and pensioners are expected to pay abnormally high electricity bills,” says Mokgopa.

“If residents fail to pay their electricity and water, supply is cut off.”

ANC Tshwane regional secretary George Matjila says he attended the meeting because the councillors told him they wanted to discuss the problems with the campaign as well as issues with undocumented foreigners, load-shedding and unemployment.

“Exorbitant electricity and water prices plus unemployment are burning issues,” says Matjila.

“The metro’s billing system is very problematic, and we have households allegedly owing millions of rand.”

The metro recently slammed intimidation and threats of violence against city employees implementing credit control actions.

Tshwane mayoral spokesperson Sipho Stuurman says the metro will not be intimidated or deterred and illegal connections will be removed.

He says the culture of non-payment for services must come to an end.

“Credit control teams are deployed across Tshwane to ensure that residents pay their municipal accounts for services rendered.

“We have, however, noticed unfortunate incidents where City employees and contractors were met with resistance and threats of violence from some communities,” says Stuurman.

“This will not be tolerated. We intend to bring law enforcement authorities on board to protect our employees and our infrastructure.”

He says law enforcement agencies, including the police, will be asked to escort the city officials as they execute their duties.

“#TshwaneYaTima is in full swing. We won’t be deterred from collecting the R17b we are owed by embassies, residents, businesses and government entities.

“We have already disconnected some residential customers.

“As of June 30, Mamelodi and Nellmapius residents had the highest debt of more than R2.1b, followed by Soshanguve with over R1.1b while Atteridgeville, Lotus Gardens and Saulsville combined owed R713m.

“Clients can contact our customer care offices to make a payment arrangement to avoid discontinuation of services.”