Many roads in Galeshewe were blocked. This follows after the municipality decided to disconnect many residents who owe for electricity. Both prepaid and fixed terms customers were blocked from receiving electricity. 

The municipal spokesperson, Sello Matsie, says a Zero Tolerance campaign by the municipality was launched to recover debts from everyone who owes. He says the campaign is an effort to step up the collection process. He added that those in debt will be blocked. There is, however, a policy that mitigates these measures for the poor and vulnerable. 

Meanwhile, the protest was also joined by informal settlement dwellers who demand the municipality to provide them with houses and other services. Matsie said on that matter the provincial and national governments are also involved and it’s a process providing houses. He says residents who owe municipal services, including rates and taxes for sewerage services, refuse collection, water and others, cause financial problems for the municipality. The only way to make them understand or force them to pay is if we block them or disconnect their services, he added.  

OFM News