EFF CALLS ON CANCELLATION OF UNREASONABLE DEBTS IN RATES AND TAXES FOR THE  THE POOR

22 May, 2016 

The EFF calls on the cancellation of unreasonable debts in rates and taxes for the poor. There is growing phenomenon across townships where the municipalities are charging our people, in particular old age headed households, unreasonable and inexplicable rates. Some of the pensioners in many townships like in Mabopane in Tswane, Orange Farm in Johannesburg, Seshego in Polokwane get bills as high as R6 000 in one month. 

We can say it on good authority that this strategy is employed by many municipal officials who are looting our people in light of the realist that they think they local government will change. It makes no sense whatsoever that the poor who are on pension and child grants get charged services of so exorbitant amounts within the rising levels of unemployment. Government seems to give them these grants on one hand, and collect them like loan sharks on the other with multiple interests.

We call on al these debts to be cancelled with immediate effect as they represent corruption and an unreasonable expectation of payment from the poor. In Mamelodi, the municipality is even beginning to switch off electricity for the homes of poor pensioners who are unable to pay these ridiculous amount of the value of R6000. We condemn this as thuggery, corruption and absolute insensitivity on the part of the municipality. 

The EFF will be organising direct action on these municipalities soon to ensure that rates debts are immediately canceled.

Statement issued by the Economic Freedom Fighters, 22 May 2016