Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane today condemned in the strongest possible terms the torching of the two houses and a car belonging to a councillor and a former councillor in Chiawelo, Soweto by a group of disgruntled residents.
The residents were protesting against Eskom’s electricity costs, claiming they were too high after the installation of pre-paid electricity metres.
Mokonyane said the City of Johannesburg had consulted residents before installing pre-paid electricity metres. Residents in the area were informed on a regular basis about the plans to improve service delivery in the area. She said government would not tolerate acts of vandalism to property.
"Residents are entitled to voice their concerns through a peaceful protest. What we saw in Chiawelo on Tuesday is a clear example of criminal acts.
"We congratulate the law enforcement agencies in the province on the arrest of some of those who took part in that act of arson and call on the community to work with the police in bringing the rest of those responsible for these senseless acts to book," she added.
Mokonyane said no amount of anger could justify burning somebody’s house down and risking taking innocent people’s lives.
"We appeal to residents to stop taking law into their own hands instead they must engage with relevant parties in peaceful open consultation," she said.
Mokonyane added that the Executive Mayor of Joburg, Parks Tau, had met with Eskom and was engaging the law enforcement agencies in the province to ensure that arrest of all responsible for the inhumane acts.
"We further call on the courts to deal swiftly with those who committed these heinous crimes – similar to how we dealt with criminals during the World Cup,” Mokonyane said.
The Gauteng Premier further said the opposition to electricity metres seems to be led by an organised group as similar acts took place in Noordgesig, Diepkloof and now Chiawelo.
"People must remember: consume electricity based on what you can afford. It’s as simple as that. One can’t expect to use electricity for free," she said.
The province also called on community structures to bring back community meetings so that matters that are of mutual concern can be raised and tackled in a dignified and, importantly, legal manner.
For more information:
Dumisani Zulu
Premier’s spokesperson
Cell: 082 602 3532
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
