Angry residents from Mdantsane’s Unit P, tired of living in darkness and relying on paraffin, have given their ward councillor seven days to respond to their demand for electricity.A group of about 70 marched to the home of Buffalo City Metro councillor Zameka Gajula earlier this week.
After many months of patiently using paraffin lights and stoves while they waited, the residents, who moved into new RDP houses in 2014, said they were tired of empty promises from BCM and Gajula.
The protesters, who live in the only area of the new township without electricity, claimed Gajula had promised they would have electricity in their homes by August last year.
Gajula said there were more than 100 people who marched to her home demanding that she respond to their plea for electricity or else “drastic measures” would be taken.
She said municipalities did not provide services on the basis of protests, and budgetary processes had to be followed.
Resident Nomnikelo Vulangengqele said residents were frustrated as they saw other areas being connected to the grid before them.
“Electricity has become a basic need for people. We believe we have been patient enough waiting for the municipality and our councillor to connect electricity for us but nothing is being done.
“Instead we see other new areas and informal settlements getting electricity and we are being left behind,” Vulangengqele told the Daily Dispatch yesterday.
Gajula said residents knew when their electricity would be connected, but there was a “misunderstanding” between her and them.
“The challenge of electricity is not only isolated to Ward 24 – it’s a Buffalo City-wide problem that includes illegal connections.” — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Residents demand electricity– or else
A group of about 70 marched to the home of Buffalo City Metro councillor Zameka Gajula earlier this week.
After many months of patiently using paraffin lights and stoves while they waited, the residents, who moved into new RDP houses in 2014, said they were tired of empty promises from BCM and Gajula.
The protesters, who live in the only area of the new township without electricity, claimed Gajula had promised they would have electricity in their homes by August last year.
Gajula said there were more than 100 people who marched to her home demanding that she respond to their plea for electricity or else “drastic measures” would be taken.
She said municipalities did not provide services on the basis of protests, and budgetary processes had to be followed.
Resident Nomnikelo Vulangengqele said residents were frustrated as they saw other areas being connected to the grid before them.
“Electricity has become a basic need for people. We believe we have been patient enough waiting for the municipality and our councillor to connect electricity for us but nothing is being done.
“Instead we see other new areas and informal settlements getting electricity and we are being left behind,” Vulangengqele told the Daily Dispatch yesterday.
Gajula said residents knew when their electricity would be connected, but there was a “misunderstanding” between her and them.
“The challenge of electricity is not only isolated to Ward 24 – it’s a Buffalo City-wide problem that includes illegal connections.” — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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