Frustrated residents from Kuyasa and New Monwabisi Park informal settlements in Khayelitsha are demanding urgent government intervention to improve electricity supply in their communities.
On Thursday, about 120 residents marched to Parliament in Cape Town’s CBD, where they handed over a memorandum outlining their grievances. They claim they have been without a stable electricity supply for months, with frequent power trips disrupting daily life.
Government officials now have seven days to respond to their demands.
Ward 99 councillor Lonwabo Mqina, who joined the protest, said the community is determined to escalate the matter peacefully if ignored:
“We’ve taken a stance that we’re not going to burn our streets or vandalise our belongings. When we want something, we must go to where we’ll get responses. That’s why I’ve taken this to the president.”
Mqina added that residents still have faith in President Cyril Ramaphosa but blame government representatives for failing to act.
“The people actually love the president, but I think it’s his people that are giving a problem. If they don’t respond to our challenges, then it will cause chaos in our communities.”
The residents have warned that, if nothing happens after seven days, they are prepared to sleep outside Parliament until their demands are addressed.