It was not a first for a community march about service delivery, but definitely a first for a mayor not to receive the memorandum, nor be granted the opportunity to speak to the crowd.
Mbonani Mayisela Street was where it all happened on Wednesday, July 13 when the community from Ext 7 walked towards the Lekwa Municipality.
Police were deployed to the main municipal building from early on and when the protesters marched towards the intersection at Beyers Naudé Street, police were in front.
Officers stood guard outside the main entrance.
The question on some people’s lips was whether the march was politically motivated.
An outspoken woman denied it vehemently to a television reporter, saying it was driven by lack of service delivery.
The familiar problems with electricity and water were underscored.
Louis Delani Thabethe, mayor, who was mayor in the past, said the same day that it was purely political.
“The past is now the future and it will always be the burden to carry for several years to come.”
Thabethe outlined the non-payment of the Eskom-debt and Sars-debt as contributing factors to the dilemma with electricity.
He also mentioned the lack of maintenance of the infrastructure in the past.
According to the mayor, the electrical department has eight electricians and the staff number is standing at 37.
“There are supposed to be 70 workers in the department that covers Standerton and the whole township, Thuthukani and Morgenzon.”
During a brief discussion on the notified maximum demand of 55, he said the community generates more electricity after load-shedding, which is why the network trips.
The interest furthermore paid on the R1.7-billion owed to the power utility, runs into the millions.
“It is a historical debt and not my debt.
“I would love to be judged on my own debts.”
Thabethe invited the Standerton Advertiser on a tour of illegal connection in town and Sakhile.
“A person who does not pay for electricity, does not care how much electricity is used.”
After discussions with Early Bird. the company undertook to switch on generators during peak times to help with the power demand.
Water and electricity meters will be replaced.
As regard the indigent register, councillors were encouraged to improve the small register since it affects the equitable share from national treasury.
“Councillors accountability should be to the community and not to their political party.”
A fully-fledged call centre that will be open 24/7 is on the cards as well.
The community’s memorandum covered inter alia the dissatisfaction with load-shedding, water supply interruptions, an illegal dumping site, lack of refuse removal, with a demand that old debts be scrapped.
They also voiced disapproval with some managers and demanded that a WhatsApp-group be created for Lekwa consumers.
