Tshwane residents threatens to stop paying municipal services

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Tshwane-based ratepayers advocacy group, Lotus Gardens, Attridgeville Edgeville and Saulsville Civic Association (LASCA) says it is intensifying its campaign to call on residents to stop paying for municipal services.

Inaccurate estimated electricity and water meter readings and billing by the metro as well as the deterioration of service delivery are some of the reasons for the campaign.

This as the city battles to pay service providers including security companies since October last year.

Tshwane residents consider service payment boycott over services: Dr Levy Ndou

The city earlier acknowledged owing 22 security companies about R56 million as a result of the depletion of its budget.

This has rendered the companies incapable of paying workers’ salaries.

LASCA president Tshepo Mahlangu says they will embark on a series of protest marches against the Metro to demand the scrapping of inaccurate and exorbitant electricity and water bills amongst others.

“We are going to march again to the city on the 24th of January. All the residents from our affiliates will protest, from Mamelodi, Garankuwa, Mabopane, Soshanguve, Winterveldt, Hammanskraal, Eersterust, Olivenhout and Nelmaphius and all other areas.”

Mahlangu adds: “On the 24th there is a council meeting, we need to find out whether the item to write off estimated bills will be on the agenda. We need to physically go there. And we are busy organizing ourselves to go there.”