/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

At a historical moment on Sunday 23 February 2020, representatives from Gauteng communities attended a mass meeting at Thokoza Park next to Regina Mundi Church, in Soweto..
 
The Gauteng Electricity Movement was born after working-class communities were betrayed by a once mighty civic orgnisation, the South African National Civics Organisation (SANCO) that fought for service delivery in the 1980s by linking workplace and community struggles that led to the defeat of the apartheid regime.
 
Since the birth of democracy communities across the country have been fighting for service delivery and against austerity cuts, but in isolation. The protests on 24-26 February 2020, however, united communities of Alexandra, Tembisa, Soweto, Orange Farm and other areas who moved into action on the same day with the same objectives.
 
Johannesburg police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar expressed his alarm at the planned action. He said ghat they“were aware of Tuesday’s planned shutdown and were ready for it. We have deployed a huge number of police officers on duty there will be JMPD, the South African Police Services, Gauteng Traffic Police and National Traffic police. We will deal with the situation as it unfolds.”
 
A heavy contingent of police was deployed in Soweto and other areas in order to delegitimise a peaceful demonstration.  Their response was to fire rubber bullets in a brutal assault on women comrades.. We condemn this act, especially in a country that is fighting against GBV in general. We demand the immediate suspension of those police officials who brutalised our comrades at Nomzamo Winnie Mandela Township and other unreported areas.
 
A planned march by the ANC and SANCO on 26 February was to create the illusion that the ANC is taking seriously the crisis of electricity supply in our communities.
 
The Gauteng Electricity Movement is calling on SANCO to break the unholy alliance, since the ANC government only serves the interest of bosses whilst continuing to cut electricity supply, increase tariffs and privatise Eskom. SANCOs credibility will only grow when they are fighting hand-in-glove with working class communities not with the ANC government.
 
We believe the only way to stop Eskom is for the working class to come together and fight for a solution that is viable, fair and sustainable to address South Africa and Southern Africa’s energy needs and build a united fighting working-class movement that includes communities, youth and organised labour.
 
We call on all trade unions and federations, women, student, and civic organisations and ordinary workers to join the struggle for safe, affordable energy for all. We will be convening general meetings and mass meetings in our communities to intensify our next protest actions across Gauteng.

 
Issued by The Gauteng Electricity Movement