BEDWORTH PARK – Dozens of Bedworth Park residents took to the streets in a protest following what they termed illegal electricity disconnection on August 27.
Burning tyres, rocks and debris were used to block the Ascot on Vaal Road during the protest in the early hours of the morning.
Frustrated demonstrators claim that an entourage of Emfuleni Local Municipality officials, Public Order Police (POPs) and a private security company ambushed homeowners in the area on Wednesday to cut off electricity for alleged electricityowing customers.
Roads leading to nearby businesses such as the Bedworth Centre were closed, leaving workers stranded and unable to enter workplaces.
Following long queuing traffic on nearby roads, a high police contingent consisting of POPs was deployed to the area to disperse gatvol protesters.
Speaking to Ster, community leader and chairperson of the Bedworth Park Residents Association Abraham Motau explained their frustration and detailed why they ended up in the streets.
The residents of this affected community have been taking to the streets in recent months, protesting for similar grievances.
“There has been a disconnection starting from last Wednesday until yesterday [Wednesday] where there was a heavy police presence together with an entourage of ELM officials,” he said.
“We tried to engage the group and made them aware that what they were doing was illegal and it violates their own policies, but they refused to listen to us,” he said.
Motau said that, according to municipal policies, before any disconnection is carried out, a summons or notice should be sent to those who owe the municipality.
“That notice should have a window of 14 days, which allows a resident to be able to dispute the amount or make arrangements. Communities were disconnected whilst given notices, and some were not even home,” he said.
The residents said the municipality is taking their community for granted.
“Random disconnections were carried out, and those with disputes were also affected. This is not the first time we blockaded, and our grievances fall on deaf ears, said the leader. Motau said previously that they have raised issues of wrong billing, and to this day, that has not been resolved.”
ELM spokesperson, Makhosonke Sangweni said a large number of properties across Bedworthpark have not yet been visited or audited.
Sangweni said the municipality is of the firm view that these outstanding inspections will reveal additional unpaid accounts and illegal connections.
“Warnings/notices were issued to all affected customers and the municipality can provide evidence of such notices. The affected clients chose to ignore the warnings and only reacted when disconnections were implemented,” he said.
“It must be noted that some of the accounts disconnected have not made any payment for more than 10 years. The municipality remains committed to collecting revenue owed to ensure sustainable service delivery to all residents.”
