VAAL TRIANGLE MOVEMENT march to the Emfuleni Municipal offices moved from 15 to 19 September 2025. No More Testing Grounds as VMG Communities Demand Accountability Not Exploitation.
This moment is important because it highlights a crucial truth: peaceful negotiation, as the VMG has shown throughout this journey, is the basis for meaningful dialogue.
It is essential to understand that Black, White, Coloured, and Indian people stand together. This issue is not about color, politics, or religion; it stems from a lack of ethical governance and the disregard for bylaws, which, when manipulated over the years, erodes trust.
The VMG formed when two communities, wards 45 and 16, united to raise their urgent concerns. They decided they had had enough and were tired of being treated as testing grounds for Emfuleni’s unchecked power. They wrote a memorandum and sent councillors to deliver letters to the mayor, requesting his presence to accept the memorandum and address their concerns. The mayor’s office delayed, leading the community to go to the media to expose the issue. This brought to light that other communities faced similar struggles.
* Incorrect and unfair billing practices for electricity and water, leaving households financially stressed and confused.
* Bullying tactics by unaccredited service providers that violate confidentiality.
* Neglect of basic services, including refuse collection, pothole repairs, and persistent water leaks.
These are not isolated complaints; they point to systemic failures. We demand leadership that is empathetic, fair contracts and rates, and services that rebuild trust instead of eroding it.