ActionSA Requests eThekwini Mayor Urgently Meet with Ratepayers Associations Regarding Rates Boycott
Alan Beesley
ActionSA eThekwini Caucus Member
ActionSA sincerely empathises with and understands the frustrations of the various Ratepayers Associations calling for a rates boycott.
There is no doubt that there are serious legitimate concerns as to how the budget was prepared, as many parts of it defy logic.
It was quite evident that the ANC, NFP and EFF Councillors voted on approving the budget on party lines with little or no consideration for their constituents. It is inconceivable that residents and businesses are having to pay above inflationary tariff increases whilst service levels continue to plummet. Party politics has been elevated above the needs of residents and businesses.
Furthermore, it is clear that there has been a lack of participation in the whole budget process, and the mayor and his leadership undertook a participation process that was merely a box-ticking exercise.
In terms of the South African Constitution, one of the objectives of municipalities is “to encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in the matters of local government”. This objective has not been met in the current budget process.
Ironically, eThekwini Municipality’s tagline is that “by 2030 eThekwini will be South Africa’s most caring and liveable city”. The excessive tariff increases and the lack of participation in the latest budget, show, clearly, that the Mayor and the ANC-led municipality have no intentions of living up to this tagline.
The impacts of a rate boycott are extremely serious and as such ActionSA calls on the Mayor and those in leadership to urgently meet with the various ratepayer’s associations that are calling for a rates boycott. With current service delivery at an all-time low, the municipality cannot afford to have a rates boycott which will further impact service delivery.
ActionSA Requests eThekwini Mayor Urgently Meet with Ratepayers Associations Regarding Rates Boycott
ActionSA sincerely empathises with and understands the frustrations of the various Ratepayers Associations calling for a rates boycott.
There is no doubt that there are serious legitimate concerns as to how the budget was prepared, as many parts of it defy logic.
It was quite evident that the ANC, NFP and EFF Councillors voted on approving the budget on party lines with little or no consideration for their constituents. It is inconceivable that residents and businesses are having to pay above inflationary tariff increases whilst service levels continue to plummet. Party politics has been elevated above the needs of residents and businesses.
Furthermore, it is clear that there has been a lack of participation in the whole budget process, and the mayor and his leadership undertook a participation process that was merely a box-ticking exercise.
In terms of the South African Constitution, one of the objectives of municipalities is “to encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in the matters of local government”. This objective has not been met in the current budget process.
Ironically, eThekwini Municipality’s tagline is that “by 2030 eThekwini will be South Africa’s most caring and liveable city”. The excessive tariff increases and the lack of participation in the latest budget, show, clearly, that the Mayor and the ANC-led municipality have no intentions of living up to this tagline.
The impacts of a rate boycott are extremely serious and as such ActionSA calls on the Mayor and those in leadership to urgently meet with the various ratepayer’s associations that are calling for a rates boycott. With current service delivery at an all-time low, the municipality cannot afford to have a rates boycott which will further impact service delivery.