Local Peace Committee reports discontent in community over prepaid meters and the abuse of pensioners through illegitimate eviction orders
On the 30th of April ACTION Support Centre visited Soweto Local Peace Committee, which is chaired by Ms. Thandi Sangwani. The Chairperson and her committee welcomed ACTION Support Centre.
The aim of the visit was to follow up and strengthen the relationship between ACTION and Soweto LPC, one of several LPCs in Gauteng.
Ms. Thandi shared some concerns over her communities to ACTION’s representatives. She reported that the Sowerto Local Peace Committee faces various challenges in the community of Soweto. The first issue was about the pre-paid water and electricity meters. The failure of Johannesburg Water and Eskom to consult before installing pre-paid meters has sparked widespread discontentment amongst the community. Another issue discussed was the abuse of pensioners by the corrupted bank officials and police officers who intimidate and evict older people from their houses, claiming to have bought these houses. As a result they are planning a march in June 2014 to the Department of housing and Johannesburg water and Eskom.
ACTION re-affirmed its commitment to support the Soweto Local Peace Committee, and also praised them for their dedication to serving their community. With regards to the issues raised, ACTION has promised to assist them in engaging with relevant authorities in order to bring clarity on these matters.