The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the City of Ekurhuleni is deeply concerned by the escalating protests in Thembisa, and this ANC-led coalition’s inability to govern in the best interests of all residents in the City.
The unilateral decision by Executive Mayor, Ald. Nkosindiphile Xhakaza to scrap electricity termination notices for Thembisa residents when he is faced with protest action is not only illegal but sets a dangerous precedent.
In less than a year, this is the second time the Executive Mayor has pandered to violence.
In June 2025, he scrapped the Tariff A service charge before bringing the item to council for review, an illegal action.
Faced with violence, he has once again decreed a populist solution to a complex matter over which he has no sole mandate.
It is not only residents in Themibsa who are suffering the pinch of the economic malaise created by his government, across Ekurhuleni there are residents who find themselves in precarious financial situations struggling to pay for electricity, water, and municipal services.
Like the tariff decrees, not only are these populist stop-gap solutions disproportionately applied, but they will have real world consequences by gouging a hole in the City’s already precarious finances.
As the recent power-outages Benoni have highlighted however, the Executive Mayor has no intention of governing for all, nor does he care to address the real issue – his government’s inability to balance the books.
The Executive Mayor does not rule by divine decree.
If the matter must be resolved urgently, then a special Council meeting must be held so that a fully constituted Council – the only body mandated to resolve these matters, can chart the way forward.
The DA demands that the Executive Mayor jump off his populist soap box and govern in a manner that is consistent with the Constitution and rule of law.