Indigence policy there to assist those who do not afford to pay for basic services
Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlement MEC Jacob Mamabolo strongly condemn and expressed concern over the continued use of violence in Orlando over the installation of prepaid electricity meters.
MEC Mamabolo reiterated that all municipalities in Gauteng have indigent policies that are used as a tool to assist people who are unable to pay for their basic services as a result of their economic status.
“The poorest of our poor are prioritised through the indigent policy and we make sure through this policy that they benefit from basic services the same way as those who are well off in our society. Therefore it serves no purpose to go the streets to violently protest, destroy property, blockade roads when there is a mechanism to deal with their problems,” MEC Mamabolo.
MEC Mamabolo said whilst people have the right to protest as guaranteed and enshrined in the constitution, the protests must be peaceful and ensure that concerns are raised properly and orderly.
“As a collective leadership of Gauteng in the province and in all our municipalities our doors are always open to engage with communities, and we remain committed to constructive, progressive and peaceful engagements. With this openness, there is no need for violence in our province and I urge all communities to engage with us at the municipal and provincial level to resolve issues of concerns,” MEC Mamabolo said.
Mamabolo also made a plea to the police to keep vigilance and ensure the protection of property and persons in the affected areas.
Mamabolo also warned about political opportunism which always precedes local government elections where those who want to become councillors would mobilise communities to use violence in order to profile themselves as preferred candidates in their own wards.
“Our communities must be warned of such charlatans who are only interested in their attempt at ascending to power. In the process damages are done to public properties and communities are left worse off. The communities have the power to stop such opportunists and help in protecting public property,” MEC Mamabolo said.
For more information contact the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
