Tembisa residents block roads, clash with police over rising electricity cost

Angry residents of Tembisa took to the streets early on Monday morning, protesting against the high cost of electricity, saying that if the newly introduced tariffs are not scrapped, they will bring the township to a complete standstill.

The protest, which turned violent as police fired rubber bullets to disperse crowds, follows the City of Ekurhuleni's implementation of new electricity charges that came into effect on July 1 for the 2025 and 2026 financial year.

Residents have expressed concern over fixed monthly fees of just under R109 for single-phase connections and more than R200 for three-phase connections. 

The new charges come on the heels of a 12.74% national electricity tariff increase approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), effective from April 1, 2025.

The increase is part of Nersa’s multi-year revenue determination plan, which also includes further hikes of 5.36% in the 2026–2027 financial year and 6.19% in 2027–2028. 

Nersa said the increases aim to stabilise the country’s energy supply and support Eskom’s deteriorating financial position, which has been hampered by aging infrastructure, delayed maintenance, and continued load-shedding.

Streets across Tembisa were blocked by burning tires, rocks, and debris. 

Plumes of black smoke filled the air as protesters gathered in large numbers, supported by the Tembisa Community Forum (TCF) group.

TCF’s spokesperson, Brenda Mekoa criticised the municipality for implementing the new tariffs without prior consultation.

“The municipality introduced these increases without alerting the community,” Mekoa told IOL News.

“Ward councillors say they knew nothing about these changes. We don’t want these increases, and we want them scrapped immediately.”

Mekoa said the impact of the price hikes is being felt across both Tembisa and the greater Ekurhuleni region. 

She warned that the protests would escalate if demands were not met.

“If they don’t answer our demands, we will put Tembisa at a standstill,” she said. 

“We don’t want explanations. The mayor ( Alderman Nkosindiphile Doctor Xhakaza) must apologise and cancel the increases immediately. If not, things will turn uglier than this.”

According to Mekoa, four people, including three men and one woman, have been arrested during the protests. 

She claimed they were detained despite participating in what she described as a peaceful protest.

“The police are just shooting at us randomly. It’s a peaceful protest,” she said.

IOL News has reached out to Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) spokesperson Thabiso Makgato for comment on the arrests. 

No responses had been received yet from the two.

Meanwhile, residents like Johannes Papi, 62, from Ward 10 in Lekaneng, voiced their frustration.

“This electricity issue is badly affecting us. Even if you buy R600 worth of electricity, the units are very low. I’m spending over R2,000 per month just to keep the lights on,” he said.

Papi said that he is tired of digging deep into his pockets, and added that they would continue protesting until the tariffs are reversed.

Protesters began gathering around midnight Sunday, blocking major roads including Link Road, Sam Molele Drive, Brian Mazibuko Drive, George Nyanga Drive, RTJ Namane Drive, and Jabu Mdunge Drive.

EMPD spokesperson Katlego Mphahlele confirmed that roads remained barricaded and the situation volatile.

In an updated statement earlier on Monday, Makgato said, “The main roads are still blocked with burning tires. Protesters are throwing stones at moving vehicles. Please be cautious.”

EMPD and South African Police Service (SAPS) officers remained on the scene on Monday morning to monitor the situation.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News