Ekurhuleni Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, has promised angry Thembisa residents that he will temporarily suspend the R126 electricity surcharge. This comes after the residents took to the streets and barricaded roads with rocks and burning tyres over the high cost of electricity since last night.

In April, Eskom increased its electricity tariffs by close to 13% and municipal customers saw an 11,32% increase starting from the 1st of July.

Xhakaza says he will go back to council to discuss the way forward.

“In the meantime, effectively, we will suspend temporarily the fixed charge of R126. But we ask you to continue sending us petitions to allow a process to go to the mayoral committee and council, so that we come back more understandable. So that we come back and have discussion to find a permanent solution,” says Xhakaza.

Video: Thembisa tariffs strike | Police fire rubber bullets at protesting Thembisa residents