Mthatha Express 16 November 2017

Page 1

MTHATHA

DEBT CATCHING UP WITH YOU? UNENGXAKI YAMATYALA NA?

WE CAN HELP! “NCR” DEBT COUNSELLOR NCRDC 2295

Call/WhatsApp/PCB: 082 378 3743 Tel: 047 532 3356

X1U2AHBM-TE021117

60 000 COPIES WEEKLY

Port St Johns | Mthatha | Libode | Ngqeleni | Tsolo | Qumbu | KwaBhaca

THURSDAY November 16, 2017 |0 047 050 4430 | Facebook: Mthatha Express | Twitter: @MthathaExpress | elizabethg@media24.com or express@media24.com

EDITOR: BETTIE GILIOMEE

Residents declare war on high electricity cost SIMBONGILE MDLEDLE

T

HE residents of Mthatha West, which comprises Mandela Park, Slovo Park, Chris Hani and Polar Park, had embarked on a massive march last week against the drastic decrease in the number of units they receive when they purchase electricity from service provider Umtiza. Umtiza is a system that the King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) Municipality is using to sell electricity. The march proceeded from Mandela Park to Mthatha Freedom Square, where the KSD offi-

ces are situated. The residents were also joined by representatives of different political parties and taxi operators from Mamela taxi rank. The marchers demanded that the KSD Municipality do not make use of Umtiza and that they would be allowed to purchase electricity directly from Eskom. They acccused Umtiza of “robbing” the residents who are mostly unemployed. They said that on their applications they requested Eskom electricity, but the municipality installed Umtiza boxes in their homes anyway. The protesters also called on the municipality to clarify the method they used to calculate the cost of electricity units because the residents

now received far less units for the same amount than they used to in the past. “This (cost of units) is ridiculous. We are unemployed people. For instance, when I am purchasing electricity for R10, I get only six units which lasts only one day. This is an insult to an unemployed person,” said Mpendulo Mkabeni. He said the government promised free electricity for the poor, but this was not what the government promised to the South Africans. “We use electricity for everything, but if we continue like this, many people will end up staying in the dark because we cannot afford the cost of the units,” he said. One of the organisers of the march, Them-

binkosi Butshingi, threatened that if the municipality failed to meet their demands they would cause havoc in the town. “We gave the municipality 14 days to respond, and upon failing we will stage a huge strike which will make Mthatha ungovernable,” said Butshingi. The marchers intended to hand the petition to KSD Mayor Dumani Zozo, but he was not present. The KSD public safety portfolio head Tsepo Machaea received the petition on behalf of the mayor. He said he will hand it to the mayor so that the matter could be discussed at a council meeting.

Residents of Mthatha West, representatives of different political parties and taxi operators joined in a march against the increase in unit costs of prepaid electricity.

HM

H-MART

8 PANEL VARNISHED DOOR FULL

NETTING WIRE GALVANISED 1,2 x 40m

WHEEL BARROW POLY LASHER

PHOTO: SIM MDLEDLE

ROLL UP GARAGE DOOR BROWN

BRONZE & NATURAL

HOME IMPROVEMENT CENTER

21 SUTHERLAND ST • OPP CIRCUS TRIANGLE • MTHATHA MOIN BUILDERS SUPPLY MAIN STREET MOUNT FRERE (OPPOSITE POLICE STATION)

Your ONE-STOP Shop We have Credit Facilities instore

ALUMINIUM WINDOW

Where Mzansi People Shop

SPECIALS

FULL RANGE OF PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL

Accounts are opened. Revamp your house now.

1212

1515

R649 MICATEX 20L

R459 WELDMESH 100 x 50

R129

R699 R1999 LAMINATED FLOORING

GEORGIAN LOCK

R199

R129

1818

PVC CEILING BOX OF 10

1.89m²

Further Meranti Window Special in-store VICTORIA RIM LOCK

R999 R1299 R1999

3 BURNER GAS STOVE

R899

R749 R749.99

R599

X1U2KJ7D-TE091117


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Mthatha Express 16 November 2017 by Mthatha Express - Issuu