Today, ActionSA remained resolute in rejecting the tariff hikes proposed in the budget and IDP by the eThekwini Municipality, which were tabled during a full council meeting by Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.
Despite the slight decrease from the initial proposal in March -which we strongly voted against while other parties saw it fit to further punish eThekwini Ratepayers by choosing to abstain from voting, or voted for the atrocious increases-, these amended increases still exceed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase of 5.3%.
What brought us dismay is that Mayor Kaunda labelling the tariff hikes as the “People’s budget”, despite the fact that these increases will burden the residents of eThekwini. Many of them endure long periods without access to basic services like water and electricity, yet are still required to pay for them. This situation can only be described as ‘exploitative.’
The tariff increases are as follows:
1. Electricity: 12.72%
2. Water:
– Domestic: 12.9%
– Business: 12.9%
3. Refuse Removal:
– Domestic: 7%
– Business: 8%
4. Sanitation:
– Domestic: 10.9%
– Business: 10.9%
5. Rates: 6.5%
It appears that the Municipality thumb sucked these figures, as they failed to inform us of the basis which made them arrive to these figures.
The Municipality’s water loss stands at 58% due to aging infrastructure, vandalism, and leaks. Refuse is hardly collected, sewage infrastructure is in shambles, leading to contamination of rivers and the ocean, negatively affecting tourism. Visitor numbers dropped from 800 000 to 300 000 as a result.
These increases undermine ratepayers and residents.
During the council meeting, we proposed an amendment to the tariff hikes, calling for eThekwini to match the CPI increase rate. Unfortunately, our amendment failed due to opposition from parties who wish to see eThekwini residents suffer.
The budget is unaffordable, and many residents and businesses will suffer due to these increases.
At present, businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, and should the municipality continue down this rout, many people will lose their jobs.
Such hikes only add to the financial strain already felt by households and businesses, especially in the current economic climate, which is why we rejected these hikes.
ActionSA will continue to fight for the residents and ratepayers of eThekwini as they continue to face injustices
ActionSA Rejects eThekwini Tariff Increases Exceeding CPI
Today, ActionSA remained resolute in rejecting the tariff hikes proposed in the budget and IDP by the eThekwini Municipality, which were tabled during a full council meeting by Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.
Despite the slight decrease from the initial proposal in March -which we strongly voted against while other parties saw it fit to further punish eThekwini Ratepayers by choosing to abstain from voting, or voted for the atrocious increases-, these amended increases still exceed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase of 5.3%.
What brought us dismay is that Mayor Kaunda labelling the tariff hikes as the “People’s budget”, despite the fact that these increases will burden the residents of eThekwini. Many of them endure long periods without access to basic services like water and electricity, yet are still required to pay for them. This situation can only be described as ‘exploitative.’
The tariff increases are as follows:
1. Electricity: 12.72%
2. Water:
– Domestic: 12.9%
– Business: 12.9%
3. Refuse Removal:
– Domestic: 7%
– Business: 8%
4. Sanitation:
– Domestic: 10.9%
– Business: 10.9%
5. Rates: 6.5%
It appears that the Municipality thumb sucked these figures, as they failed to inform us of the basis which made them arrive to these figures.
The Municipality’s water loss stands at 58% due to aging infrastructure, vandalism, and leaks. Refuse is hardly collected, sewage infrastructure is in shambles, leading to contamination of rivers and the ocean, negatively affecting tourism. Visitor numbers dropped from 800 000 to 300 000 as a result.
These increases undermine ratepayers and residents.
During the council meeting, we proposed an amendment to the tariff hikes, calling for eThekwini to match the CPI increase rate. Unfortunately, our amendment failed due to opposition from parties who wish to see eThekwini residents suffer.
The budget is unaffordable, and many residents and businesses will suffer due to these increases.
At present, businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, and should the municipality continue down this rout, many people will lose their jobs.
Such hikes only add to the financial strain already felt by households and businesses, especially in the current economic climate, which is why we rejected these hikes.
ActionSA will continue to fight for the residents and ratepayers of eThekwini as they continue to face injustices