TEMBISA, GAUTENG – The newly formed Government of National Unity (GNU) has moved swiftly to suppress escalating community protests in Tembisa, where residents took to the streets to denounce recent electricity tariff hikes.
While the government claims order has been restored, locals describe scenes of chaos and fear — with rubber bullets, tear gas, and alleged police brutality dominating the morning’s events.
The demonstrations erupted just before midnight on Sunday, with angry residents blockading roads using burning tyres, rocks, and debris. By Monday morning, major arteries like Andrew Mapheto Drive were rendered impassable, bringing large parts of the East Rand township to a standstill.
The protest was sparked by frustration over the 11.32% municipal electricity hike, which comes in the wake of Eskom’s 12.74% increase earlier this year — part of Nersa’s multi-year revenue plan that includes further hikes of 5.36% in 2026–2027 and 6.19% in 2027–2028. Here’s how the latest increases will affect you.
While authorities claim the crowds were “largely peaceful,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters, who say they were exercising their right to assemble. Under the direction of the GNU, police were reportedly ordered to “clear all road obstructions and restore public order.”
“We were protesting peacefully and just barricading the area,” said a visibly shaken resident, who spoke to Newzroom Afrika shortly after being treated for minor injuries. “The police came charging toward us and opened fire with rubber bullets. We ran, but they chased us right into our own yards. I got injured when I cut my fingers on a fence trying to get away.”
The woman insisted that the protest was not violent at the time of the incident. “There were no weapons, no threats, just anger and desperation,” she said.
The protests are backed by the Tembisa Community Forum (TCF), which says the increases were imposed without consultation. TCF spokesperson Brenda Mekoa accused municipal leaders of failing to alert the public ahead of time, with even ward councillors allegedly unaware of the changes.
“The municipality introduced these increases without alerting the community,” Mekoa told IOL News. “We don’t want these increases, and we want them scrapped immediately.”
“If they don’t answer our demands, we will put Tembisa at a standstill,” she warned.
Mekoa confirmed that four people — including one woman — were arrested during the protest. “They were participating peacefully,” she said, accusing police of indiscriminately shooting at unarmed civilians.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, while previously engaged in debt rehabilitation and limited community outreach efforts, has yet to issue a statement following today’s crackdown. However, analysts say the forceful police response signals a zero-tolerance approach from the GNU toward public disruptions — especially when tied to service delivery or revenue collection.
The incident also comes amid broader national issues plaguing the power sector, including prepaid meter replacement deadlines, uncertain load-shedding timelines, and rising fuel and food costs as outlined in the recent Budget Speech.
Despite heavy police presence and the reopening of affected roads, tensions remain high. Community leaders vow to continue pressing the municipality until their grievances are heard — and their demands met.
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