Soweto agrees to pay rent

In a meeting between the Soweto People's Delegation (SPD) and,and the Transvaal Provincial Administration an agreement was reached bringing to an end a five-year rent boycott by the residents of Soweto. The SPD was engaged in the negotiations to create a just local government system in South Africa. The two parties agreed to: To end the five year rent boycott To write of more than R 500 million in arrears caused by the boycott To introduce uniform tariffs across Soweto, Diepkloof, Meadowlands and Dobsonville A flat rate of R55-00 per residential unit R23-00 service charges such as electricity and sewage removals Resident would contribute R5-00 to the Greater Soweto People's Fund that would be established next year. This fund will be used for community development in Soweto. The SPD was hoping that the agreement would avert government intentions to cut electricity to Soweto. However, the Minister of Planning, Hernus Kriel announced that the government would introduce electric cuts in other townships to force residents to end the boycott.