Latest news with #Xhakaza
Eyewitness News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ekurhuleni's Xhakaza calls for calm in wake of violent protests in Tembisa
JOHANNESBURG - Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza has called for calm after formally suspending a controversial fixed electricity tariff that sparked violent protests in Tembisa. No new incidents or damage was reported since Monday's unrest, as residents start applying for the municipality's relief programmes to help with their bills. The protests erupted on Monday morning, when hundreds blocked roads with rubble, set tyres alight and clashed with police over the introduction of a R126 fixed charge on electricity bills. The angry protests left roads blocked, tyres torched and dozens injured as police fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds. ALSO READ: • IN PICS: Tembisa residents block streets in protest over electricity tariffs • At least a dozen Tembisa residents injured in running battles with Ekurhuleni police • Two police vehicles damaged during Tembisa protest Mayor Xhakaza has now formally suspended the fixed tariff, citing the need for more public engagement and to prevent a repeat of the 2022 violence that claimed lives and destroyed property. The suspension will remain in place until the municipal council can ratify it and a new plan is developed. Xhakaza has also announced a range of social relief measures, including debt relief schemes, expanded indigent support, waivers on connection and tampering fees and a revised property value threshold to help vulnerable households. In a statement, he urged residents to remain calm and to engage peacefully in the upcoming consultations. Police remain deployed across the area, but with no new incidents reported, the focus now shifts to talks and relief efforts.
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Relief for residents as Ekurhuleni suspends fixed power tariff
City of Ekurhuleni executive mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has announced the immediate suspension of the city's controversial fixed electricity tariff charge following community concerns and recent protests in Thembisa. The R126 (including VAT) fixed charge, introduced for the 2025/2026 financial year in line with National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) directives, was intended to support infrastructure maintenance and sustainable electricity supply. However, it sparked discontent among residents, leading to calls for its removal. READ: CoE corrects electricity tariff error, refund process in place Mayor Xhakaza confirmed that the suspension is pending urgent council endorsement and is intended to facilitate 'comprehensive, inclusive, and orderly engagement' with residents on the matter. The city has started preparations to implement the suspension within its billing system to ensure the immediate cessation of the fixed charge. The mayor emphasised the city's commitment to addressing legitimate community concerns while cautioning against violence and criminality during protests. 'The municipality remains fully committed to engaging robustly with residents regarding electricity tariffs and broader service delivery concerns; however, acts of violence, vandalism, and criminality will not be tolerated,' said Xhakaza. READ: 'Tired of empty promises': Residents protest over tariff hikes Avoiding another 2022 Thembisa scenario Xhakaza acknowledged the 2022 violent unrest in Thembisa, which led to significant financial losses, damage to infrastructure, and the tragic loss of life, noting that while many grievances were legitimate, the events were overshadowed by criminal activity. The suspension aims to prevent a repeat of such incidents while allowing structured discussions to address residents' concerns. Social relief measures rolled out In addition to suspending the fixed charge, the City of Ekurhuleni has rolled out a series of social relief measures in alignment with the commitments made during the 2025 State of the City Address. These include: Revised property value thresholds to enable more vulnerable households to access municipal support. A Debt Rehabilitation Scheme offering debt write-offs for qualifying over-indebted residents. Expanded indigent support to broaden access to free basic services for more residents in financial distress. Waivers of service connection charges for residents affected by cable theft. A three-month tampering charges waiver (July to September 2025) to allow residents to regularise municipal connections without penalties. READ: Thembisa residents reject new electricity tariffs, demand action 'These interventions reflect our commitment to social justice, equitable service delivery, and meaningful support for our residents, particularly those most impacted by prevailing economic conditions,' Xhakaza said. Call for calm and participation The city has called on residents to remain calm and to engage peacefully during the upcoming consultations, reaffirming its commitment to transparent and accountable leadership while working towards a fair and sustainable solution for all residents of Ekurhuleni. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
22-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
EFF backs Tembisa residents in protest against electricity surcharge
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has expressed their solidarity with the people of Tembisa who embarked on an electricity surcharge protest on Monday morning. The EFF has described this service charge as unreasonable, as it places an additional strain on the everyday residents of Ekurhuleni, who are already facing significant challenges due to widespread poverty and concerning unemployment figures in the region. The Metro had implemented a R126 electricity fixed surcharge, which the Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, subsequently temporarily suspended after the protest during an address with the community. However, the red berets said this was not enough, they want the permanent removal of this expense, which they term as exploitative. The EFF further said Xhakaza's utterances are ineffective as he does not have the powers to make such pronouncements without consulting the legislature. This charge followed the 12.74% national electricity tariff increase approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), which came into effect on April 1, 2025 This contentious surcharge follows an alarming 12.74% increase in national electricity tariffs approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), which took effect on April 1, 2025. The increase is part of Nersa's multi-year revenue determination plan, which includes further hikes of 5.36% in the 2026–2027 financial year and 6.19% in 2027–2028. Nersa justified this increase as part of a multi-year revenue determination strategy aimed at stabilising the country's failing energy supply while attempting to remedy Eskom's challenging financial predicament, marred by aging infrastructure and ongoing load-shedding incidents. Nersa said it aims to stabilise the country's energy supply and support Eskom's deteriorating financial position, which has been hampered by aging infrastructure, delayed maintenance, and continued load-shedding.
TimesLIVE
21-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Ekurhuleni mayor suspends controversial electricity surcharge after violent Thembisa protests
Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has suspended the controversial electricity surcharge that led to violent protests in Thembisa on Monday. Thembisa residents took to the streets to air their frustration and demonstrate their rejection of the introduction of a fixed R126 electricity surcharge, which kicked in on July 1. Major routes in Thembisa were blockaded by protesting community members. Xhakaza said he understood the community's frustration. 'We understand where your frustrations are coming from and we would like to thank you for keeping the protest peaceful,' he said. He added that the tariffs had gone through the integrated development plan (IDP) process. 'These tariffs are from Eskom's pricing structure and they were approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa).' Xhakaza announced that the electricity surcharge had been suspended with immediate effect while they attempt to come up with a better solution. Police had their hands full and fired rubber bullets to disperse the angry crowd which had blockaded streets with rocks, burning tyres and broken glass. Thembisa ward councillors hosted a community meeting on Monday at Rabasotho community centre that ended abruptly after residents demanded the presence of senior City of Ekurhuleni officials to provide answers on tariff increases implemented from July 1.
eNCA
21-07-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Ekurhuleni mayor temporarily suspends Thembisa electricity hike
THEMBISA - Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has temporarily suspended the Thembisa electricity hike. This comes after the community protested over a R126 tariff hike. Xhakaza says they will also communicate with NERSA and, within 14 days, present the outcome to the community. "We do not want to carry a risk that [this decision will have in] impacting the city's financial sustainability. We want to look at what the mechanisms are available and how do we best position our people," he said. Thembisa came to a complete shutdown on Monday morning when residents hit the streets over electricity tariff hikes. The protest began around 5am with roads being barricaded with burning tires. It was not long before things escalated.
