Update
GEORGE NEWS - The occupation of the George municipal council chambers that started just before 10:00 this morning, ended shortly after 12:00.
Upset that their electricity had also been cut due to this week’s Thembalethu protests while they are law-abiding citizens who pay for their electricity, a group of residents had beset the council chambers and did not want to leave until their grievances had been heard.
According to them, they went to the electricity department on Thursday morning, where they were told that they should speak to the acting municipal manager, Reggie Wesso.
The residents said some of them have children who are writing exams and are struggling to study without electricity.
They were also unhappy about not being able to charge their cellphones.
Negotiations with senior officials and council members ensued.
Police and members of the municipality’s law enforcement department were called in as the atmosphere was tense.
Meeting cancelled
With the monthly council meeting due to start at 10:00, some of the other council members arrived for the meeting but couldn’t enter as the chambers were occupied.
After consultation with the party whips, Speaker Gerrit Pretorius decided to postpone the meeting until next week. Pretorius told the George Herald the issue around the electricity was volatile and he didn't want to contribute to conflict. "I did try to mediate," he said.
Some council members were shocked and said they could not understand how the residents were allowed to enter the council chambers. According to Pretorius, an ANC council member made it possible for the residents to enter the building and the council chambers. The ANC denied this. The residents said they did not enter the building illegally.
Negotiations
In the meantime, the negotiations went ahead under Wesso’s leadership and were concluded shortly after 12:00. Outside the building, some of the residents said they were happy with the outcome as the municipality had undertaken to look at the damaged electricity infrastructure and find ways to restore their electricity.
Read a previous article: Stadsraadsvergadering uitgestel
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