Concerns persist as City revises tariff increases

CONCERNS over tariff increases persist despite a reduction to the proposed rates. For the Manor Gardens Ratepayers’ Association, the crux of the issue is paying more for less.

Speaking to Berea Mail, Deline Wallace of Manor Gardens Ratepayers’ Association said, “Even though we understand that increases are inevitable, it is unacceptable to pay more for less. As ratepayers, we expect the service delivery in our area to match the increases imposed on us.”

Wallace raised concerns about irregular expenditure in the City.

Relates news :Manor Gardens ratepayers object to proposed municipal tariff increase

She added that the removal of Mzimuni Ngiba as councillor of Ward 101 raises more questions than answers.

“We are still without a representative and continue to struggle to have our voices heard,” she said.

Revised tariff increases were tabled by eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda during a special Full Council meeting at the end of May. The revised rates were released after comments were made during the 2023/24 draft budget and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) public consultations were considered.

In a statement, the eThekwini Municipality said extensive public budget consultations were held over six weeks in all municipal regions to unpack the draft budget and IDP to relevant stakeholders.

According to Kaunda, the municipality had noted complaints from residents regarding electricity tariff increases and had therefore tabled a revised figure of 18.49%, which is aligned to the NERSA increase.

“With regards to water, the key drivers of the tariff are more challenging, and the proposed 14.9% increase for residential customers and 15.9% for business remains unchanged. Some of the key drivers of the water tariff increase include a 5.5% increase imposed by Umgeni Water, a 3% increase related to the construction of the essential Upper Umkhomazi Dam, and repairs and maintenance contributes around 4.3% and security around 1%,” said Mayor Kaunda.

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The municipality had initially proposed a 21.91% electricity tariff increase, which translated to a 3% increase by the municipality following National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) granting an increase of 18.65% to Eskom.

Kaunda also tabled the property-rates tariff increase, which was reduced from 8.9% to 7.9%; the sanitation tariff increase, which was reduced from 11.9% to 10.9% for domestic and from 12.9% to 11.9% for business, as well as the refuse tariff increase, which was reduced from 8% to 6.9%.

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