Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and CoGTA, Lebogang Maile extended the provincial government’s condolences to the families of the four protesters killed during the volatile and violent service delivery protest in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni.
On Monday, four protesters lost their lives during a service delivery protest in Hospital View, Tembisa.
The community has been protesting against high electricity tariffs and poor service delivery in the area.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the affected families. We share their pain and grief. We condemn the use of excessive force to quell protest action, a right that is enshrined in our Constitution. Equally, we condemn the violent nature of the protest, which led to the torching of public infrastructure,” said Maile.
Maile has raised concerns regarding the destruction and torching of public infrastructure during service delivery protests in communities.
“Burning of tyres and torching of public infrastructure should not be seen as a solution but an act of criminality. Our communities must raise their grievances in a peaceful manner and most importantly, create space for solution oriented engagements, as the destruction of infrastructure during protest action will only exacerbate the problem,” he said.
Maile urged the City of Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell to urgently address the plight of the community of Hospital View as a matter of urgency.
“The City of Ekurhuleni should urgently intervene and work with all stakeholders to find a lasting solution. We are prepared to step in and provide support and required assistance, as part of our constitutional responsibilities as the custodians of local government in the province,” he said.
Maile will this week be holding a press briefing looking at the persistent electricity crisis in the province in connection with using electricity billing costs, one of the major service delivery challenges engulfing municipalities across the province.