Olitemba
On 19 August 2025, the Tembisa Community Forum (TCF), which claims to represent thousands of households in Thembisa, wrote a letter to the City of Ekurhuleni expressing its disappointment and firm objection to the newly implemented policy requiring indigent households to pay 50% of their municipal rental obligations. The TCF called for the immediate suspension of the requirement. “Should this policy remain in effect, TCF will mobilise residents for peaceful protest, pursue legal remedies, and escalate the matter to provincial and national oversight bodies “, said TCF Chairperson, Lele Lefakane.
The City of Ekurhuleni wrote back, noting the “recent unfounded statement” made by the Thembisa Community Forum. It stated that the allegation is false and grossly misrepresents the City’s approved indigent policy, and that there is no City policy or Council resolution introducing a 50% rent co-payment for indigent households in Ekurhuleni.
“There is no 50% rent policy. Indigent households will continue to receive free basic services; only excess consumption beyond these allocations is payable. We invite the TCF and all community stakeholders to engage us directly so facts can guide the discussion and we can avoid misleading the residents of Thembisa,” said MMC for Finance, Ald. Jongizizwe Dlabathi.
TCF hit back, saying that they will not be silenced by technicalities and their struggle is grounded in lived experience, and that their voices will continue to rise.
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