Tembisa residents block streets in protest over electricity tariffs

Hundreds of Tembisa took to the streets on Monday in protest against soaring electricity tariffs.

Hundreds of Tembisa took to the streets on Monday in protest against soaring electricity tariffs.

Residents blocked the main roads with debris, stones, and burning tyres.

Police fired rubber bullets to clear blockades, while residents retaliated by damaging vehicles, torching tyres and hurling stones.

Tembisa residents accused police officers of using unnecessary force.

Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza called an emergency meeting to finalise a report on potential remedies to the controversial electricity hikes.

He temporarily suspended a controversial fixed electricity charge, saying that the municipality would return in two weeks with a final plan, after further discussions with stakeholders.