KwaDukuza ratepayers can expect a rate increase of 8 per cent in property and refuse removal tariffs from July 1.
The increase was announced at the presentation of the R1.455 billion 2017/2018 operating budget tabled last week.
KDM Mayor Ricardo Mthembu also said future tenders would carry a stipulation that local youth be empoyed.
Mthembu said factors such as the high unemployment rates, inflation and petrol prices were taken into consideration while drafting the budget and tariff increases.
“The electricity tariffs increased by 1.88 per cent while bulk purchase tariff increased by 2.31 per cent which was due to Eskom’s tariff increase.”
During his speech, the mayor stressed the importance of youth development and promised to extend internet and wifi connections to local libraries.
“We are to meet with the MEC for KZN arts and culture to discuss restructuring of a new museum, an extension of the KwaDukuza main library and the building of a library in Groutville. We must be able to educate our children and teach them how to read and write by using library resources.”
Mthembu added that in a bid to provide work experience to the youth, contractors employed by the municipality will be obliged to provide internship opportunities for them.
“All tenders that the municipality will advertise where contractors are being appointed and where they will be in communities for more than six months, will be compelled to take a certain number of KwaDukuza graduates to get experience. Various KDM business units will take on 10 graduates per department.”
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