Several major roads in Thembisa have been shut down as residents staged protests against what they describe as harsh credit control measures implemented by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
Community members took to the streets, threatening mass action over electricity disconnections linked to non-payment of municipal accounts.
Routes affected by the closures include Andrew Mapheto Drive, Dan Nkabinde Drive and Rev. R.T.J. Namane Drive. The shutdown has disrupted traffic and public transport services, with taxis, e-hailing vehicles and buses unable to access parts of the area.
The demonstrations come amid an increase in electricity disconnections as the municipality moves to recover unpaid bills, issuing a growing number of termination notices to residents.
In response, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, Mayor of City of Ekurhuleni, said electricity disconnections affecting registered indigent households would be temporarily suspended while a comprehensive investigation is conducted.
The city added that internal processes to address residents’ concerns will continue throughout the week, up to Friday, 27 February.
“We will restore electricity for those disconnected households that were registered as indigent according to the City’s criteria,” Xhakaza said.
Tensions remain high in the township, with commuters and businesses bearing the brunt of the disruptions as negotiations between residents and municipal officials continue.