Angry residents of Enkanini in Khayelitsha have accused the City of Cape Town of reneging on promises to install electricity in their community.
About 300 people protested on Monday, accusing the City of making empty promises.
Community spokesman Mbuso Makonza said: “To live without electricity directly strips our dignity and violates our rights as stated in the country’s constitution.”
Residents complained that the City claimed it didn’t have the funds to help them, but had installed electricity in Blikkiesdorp, a “temporary relocation area” in Delft.
Resident Fani Jason said: “We are unable to watch TV, store food in refrigerators, and make use of other electrical appliances.
“It is clear we are still living in the Stone Age.”
After the protest, a group of 14 Enkanini community leaders went to the City to hand over a memorandum and letter of complaint addressed to Patricia de Lille, Mayor of Cape Town, which was delivered to the Cape Town Civic Centre.
Community leaders then discussed their complaints with city officials.
De Lille’s spokesman Solly Malatsi said City would “continue to engage the community to listen to their concerns and help where we can”. - Cape Argus