KwaDukuza residents reject ‘outrageous, immoral’ 9% rates increase

The proposed increases in rates and tariffs by KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) averaging 9% for the coming year, has attracted outrage from ratepayers.

Objections formally closed on Monday, following an extension because of the Covid-19 lockdown.

While council has made substantial changes to the budget as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown, residents and the ratepayer body Docrra are extremely unhappy with the planned increases, as well as other aspects of the 2020/21 budget.

In addition, a petition with 5 430 signatures has been submitted.

Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers’ Association (Docrra) chairman Deon Viljoen said in a letter to the municipal manager that while the 33% decrease in capital budget appears welcome, he was alarmed at cuts in spending on public amenities and human settlements.

Destitute people are building illegal houses in several places while waiting for the municipality to provide accommodation.

“We believe this is a travesty and either Council or preferably external funding should be found to reinstate these most critical community requirements. To remove virtually all of this from the budget is not acceptable and will lead to further hardship and conflict,” he said.

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Docrra believes council is wrong in cutting its capital budget to 10% of the total spend, as maintenance alone should account for that proportion.

It should be nearer 15%, otherwise KDM will fall behind on capital projects which will have to be made up in future.

While the association accepts the 4% refuse removal increase and that water and electricity increases are out of its control, it objects to the 6% increase in property rates and the 8.25% increase in municipal salaries, which alone would cost an extra R34 million.

“In a time of disaster, increased unemployment, reduction in salaries for all including government officials, by request of the President, how can one defend salary increases of 8.25%?”

Docrra has demanded salary increases be limited to 1% above inflation at 4.5%, ongoing freeze on vacancies and a maximum property rates increase of 3.5%.

Many residents have written to the municipal manager and to the Courier calling for the budget to be revised.

Bill Howard of Salt Rock writes: “The proposed increase in salaries for senior municipal staff is a shocker, if not a disgrace. Salaries are already over the going rate compared to the private sector, where there is accountability and performance targets.”

Vaughan McDonnell of Salt Rock called the proposed increases immoral. No increase would demonstrate that the council and residents were in this state of disaster together and that council was sensitive to the plight of its residents.

Lene Hansen condemns the municipality for its “audacity” in proposing rates increases of between 4 to 7%.

“Such proposed increases appear completely out of touch with the economic realities faced by the average KwaDukuza ratepayer,” said Hansen.

Former Dolphin Coast councillor Feisal Dawood said he “vehemently objected” to the increases, as KDM had consistently failed in performing its legislated duties to deliver quality, affordable services to residents and had been severely mismanaged for, at least, the last three years.

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“In doing so, KDM has failed all the people of KwaDukuza. Sadly, the people worst affected by this inability to govern and serve are not necessarily the ratepayers in affluent areas of KwaDukuza, but rather the poor, unemployed and marginalised living in the area’s informal settlements.”

Ballito resident William Hart proposed that Siza Water reduce its tariff increase from 9% to 7.5%.

Resident Deanna Glencross said she cannot afford to pay the increases and may have to sell up.

“I have not been able to earn any kind of income for the last 4 months and despite this, we have had absolutely no relief from the municipality.”

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