IN PICS: Tembisa residents block streets in protest over electricity tariffs
Hundreds of Tembisa took to the streets on Monday in protest against soaring electricity tariffs.
Resident in Tembisa take to the streets on 21 July 2025, protesting over the high cost of electricity. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/Eyewitness News
TEMBISA - Hundreds of Tembisa took to the streets on Monday in protest against soaring electricity tariffs.
Residents blocked the main roads with debris, stones, and burning tyres.
Police fired rubber bullets to clear blockades, while residents retaliated by damaging vehicles, torching tyres and hurling stones.
Tembisa residents accused police officers of using unnecessary force.
Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza called an emergency meeting to finalise a report on potential remedies to the controversial electricity hikes.
He temporarily suspended a controversial fixed electricity charge, saying that the municipality would return in two weeks with a final plan, after further discussions with stakeholders.
Tembisa residents protested over soaring electricity tariffs on 21 July 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
Tembisa residents protested over soaring electricity tariffs on 21 July 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
A Tembisa residents shows his wounds after being shot with rubber bullets during a protest on 21 July 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
Law enforcement during the protest in Tembisa on 21 July 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
Tembisa residents protested over soaring electricity tariffs on 21 July 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
Tembisa residents protested over soaring electricity tariffs on 21 July 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
Tyres and debris were burned during a protest over electricity tariffs on 21 July 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
Tembisa residents protested over soaring electricity tariffs on 21 July 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
Tembisa residents protested over soaring electricity tariffs on 21 July 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
Tembisa residents protested over soaring electricity tariffs on 21 July 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza at an emergency meeting following violent protests in Tembisa over soaring electricity tariffs on 21 July 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN