This, should the mayor, Patrick Mabilo, not provide a favourable solution to exorbitant electricity rates within seven working days.

The ultimatum comes on the back of a peaceful picket that took place at the Sol Plaatje municipal offices on Wednesday, wherein Mabilo promised to take the memorandum of demands handed to him by displeased residents to his mayoral committee for discussion before returning with feedback in the next seven working days. 

Boyce Makodi from the United Sol Plaatje Community group, who was at the helm of the picket, elaborates further on their frustrations and demands.

“The current rates are totally unbearable and we cannot afford these tariffs in a city that is falling apart. The municipality has to meet residents halfway by decreasing the prices to those equal to Eskom. Or let us purchase electricity directly from Eskom,” says Makodi.

In addition to complaining about excessive electricity rates, residents accuse the municipality of being exploitative by blocking electricity metres from loading units when the accounts for other services, like water and sanitation, are in arrears.

This isn’t the first time residents have complained of excessive electricity rates in Sol Plaatje in 2021. In January, reports surfaced that Kimberley residents were fuming over the hiking of electricity, water and refuse collection rates by 5.5%, respectively. 

Residents complained about the non-delivery of services amidst a proposed hike.

OFM News/Benjamin Tshabile