Eskom’s decision to write off electricity arrears of R1,4-billion to selected Gauteng townships has sparked a race dilemma for Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa.
When Shilowa visited the predominantly coloured township of Eldorado Park this week, residents suggested that the African National Congress was acting in a party political manner because “we are seen as Democratic Party supporters”.
Eskom announced last month that it would scrap R1,4-billion in electricity payment arrears owed by Soweto and other Vaal residents. The parastatal had been under pressure from civic organisations.
Speakers at the community meeting complained that it was convenient for Eldorado Park to be grouped with Soweto at election time, but ignored when benefits were announced. The meeting highlighted the dissatisfaction of the coloured community, and some residents accused the government of racism.
“We are forever in the dark. Is it because we are seen as Democratic Party supporters? This place has remained the same and has never been upgraded,” said one resident.
Another asked: “Where are the jobs going to? Back then we were not white enough. Are we not black enough now?”
Coloured voters are a fiercely contested voting pool.
In 1994 they were crucial to the National Party’s fortunes and in 1999 they were actively courted by the Democratic Alliance, which sees the coloured bloc as a lifeline to beat off allegations that it is a party of white privilege.
Shilowa appealed to the community to avoid division. He said: “Formerly black local authorities receive their electricity supply from Eskom, which decided to scrap arrears. But the other areas get their supply from the council, which is a different entity from Eskom.
During the era of rent boycotts, black local authorities handed over their electricity administration to Eskom.
“Government is government for everybody, regardless of who voted for it.”
Shilowa said that he could not explain why international donors preferred to give money to other townships and not Eldorado Park.