Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - While the recent protests in Plettenberg Bay have come to an end for the time being, Bitou Municipality has warned of the consequences of the action – which at times turned violent as people started damaging property and looting businesses, necessitating police intervention.

On 19 and 20 February, two sets of protests took place in Bitou. One was staged by Kwanokuthula residents over electricity issues, among other things. They indicated they wanted their electricity directly from Eskom as the municipality uses the prepaid system to recover rates and taxes, they say, which has led to them receiving less electricity units than they paid for.

Unhappy with housing process
In Qolweni, residents were protesting over housing shortages. A plan had been put in place to address the housing shortage, but after a housing committee meeting that evening, residents started protest action to show their unhappiness with the process so far. The crowds were however dispersed after authorities intervened.

The action sporadically continued during most parts of the next day, disrupting traffic flow and leading to looting at several businesses and damaging properties.

Last week, another wave of protests flared up, this time in Kranshoek, also over housing issues.

Municipal spokesperson Manfred van Rooyen said Lobese had so far addressed both Kwanokuthula and Qolweni residents over their concerns and plans were in the pipeline to address Kranshoek issues too.

'Eskom unreliability a factor'
"It is a fact that electricity has become unaffordable in South Africa, due to serious problems being experienced by Eskom. The challenges experienced by Eskom have also contributed to unreliable provision of electricity, of which load shedding is a typical example. All these factors, complemented by the tariffs being prescribed by the National Energy Regulator of SA, have made it extremely difficult for municipalities to distribute electricity," Van Rooyen said, adding that the municipality has a legal responsibility to collect revenue from all consumers for the services it provides.

Van Rooyen said the revenue collected is used to extend and improve municipal services, provide infrastructure and covers the expenditure of maintenance of all municipal infrastructure. 

"Consumers not paying for services limits the extent to which the services can be provided and compromises the mandate of the municipality. A culture of nonpayment of municipal services also threatens the stability and financial sustainability of a municipality. Consumers have a legal and moral obligation for the municipal services they receive."

'Policy for indigent consumers'
He pointed out that exception is made for consumers who cannot afford to pay for municipal services, in terms of the indigent policy of the municipality and the provisions of the national bree basic services policy.

"Subsidies under the indigent policy can only be accessed by an application at the municipality and by an annual renewal application. The basket of subsidies for the poor, destitute and indigent consumers also includes 50 free units of electricity, among others. From 23 to 24 February, a special campaign was launched to assist communities to apply for the indigent grant. As a result of this municipal campaign, 99 new applications from Kwanokuthula, 70 from New Horizons and 69 from Pinetrees have been received."

Van Rooyen said there are currently 728 registered indigent consumers and 1 029 applications waiting for approval.

'50 free units in subeconomic areas'
As a result of the petition received, council resolved, among others, that 50 free electricity units would be reintroduced in all "subeconomic areas" and electricity cutoffs be implemented to all those not registered as indigents.

It also resolved that the credit control policy be revised that auxiliary should be implemented 50/50.

Van Rooyen said the cost of the measures taken by council represents a R40-million loss in revenue and would affect budget and various projects and programmes. He added that should council decide to abolish the auxiliary method, another R39-million in revenue might be sacrificed.

'Vandalising affects service delivery'
On behalf of the municipality he pleaded with residents not to vandalise infrastructure as it does not belong to Eskom, but the municipality. "To vandalise is to affect service delivery in a negative way."

He added that businesses should rather be protected as they contribute to the economy of the town, create jobs and minimise unemployment.

Van Rooyen urged communities to cooperate with ward committees and councillors, and to pay for services on a regular basis. "Council had to write off R36-million the previous financial year, which is detrimental to the development of the town."

At the time of going to press, Kranshoek residents participated in an approved march on Wednesday morning to voice concerns over housing shortages. According to Van Rooyen the march was approved on Tuesday and took place from Kranshoek on the outskirts of Plettenberg Bay to the local multipurpose centre where they handed over a petition to Lobese. No roads were closed during the march, but motorists were warned to avoid Airport Road during the course of the march.