The City of Ekurhuleni announced that there will be no increase in assessment rates for any categories of properties in the 2022/23 financial year, however, residents will have to dig deeper into their pockets to keep their lights on and taps running.
The city explained that the zero increase on property rates is to shield ratepayers from increases associated with the new valuation roll that came into effect in July last year.
The metro, however, said although the municipality understands the plight of residents, it has limited power to control increases for certain services such as water, sanitation and electricity that rely on bulk service procurement from external utilities, in this case, Rand Water and Eskom.
The electricity tariff increased by 9, 61%; and the water and sanitation tariff by 11%.
“The refuse removal tariff will increase by 7.0% with the main cost driver being waste management services. Landfills are in essence transport and labour-intensive operations and are sensitive to the substantial and constant increases in the price of the oils and lubricants, fuels, repairs and maintenance of the fleet and labour costs.
“Although this service is within the control of the city, there are input costs that are outside our control,” explained metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
Sundry tariff increases are capped at 4.8% in line with the consumer price index rate. Dlamini said the sundry tariff increases are somewhat below likely consumer price inflation increases for the next 12 to 24 months.
“Despite the tough economic tough times and tight finances, the city will continue to provide free basic services to support the poor in line with the National Framework for Municipal Indigent Policies.
“This relief will go to the registered and deemed indigent households amounting to R4,5bn.”
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The social package for indigent relief consists of 100% rebates on assessment rates, free refuse removal, 50kwh free electricity per month, 6kl water and sewer per month, and free indigent burial to registered indigents, and special rates on emergency services such as ambulance and fire-fighting.
Dlamini added that further support to cash-strapped ratepayers will be provided in the form of debt rehabilitation incentives. This will comprise a 50% write-off of debt in excess of one year on the date of application approval, inclusive of rates, service charges, interest and other costs.
The balance of the account on the date of application approval, excluding the current account and after the 50% write-off, will be placed in a consolidated arrangement account to be written off incrementally over a three-year period.
However, this will be on the condition that all scheme provisions are being complied with during that timeframe.
The scheme will be available to qualifying applicants from July 1 until March 31, 2023.
“In understanding the plight of family members of deceased ratepayers when making payment arrangements on accounts linked to deceased estates, the city has made it possible for citizens of Ekurhuleni who find themselves in this position, to make the necessary arrangement.
“This will require a copy of the deceased’s death certificate and an accompanying affidavit. Loyal paying customers who keep their accounts up to date for six months will receive a 2% rebate credit against their accounts in the 7th month.”
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