The draft budget of R1.5-billion, with 4% tariff increases each for water and sewerage, will be passed by the iLembe municipality towards the end of May.
It is now open for public and stakeholder comments before the budget and tariff increase are adopted and implemented on July 1
The DA encourages the community to engage and participate at ward and regional levels.
While the consumer price index (CPI) is around 4%, any form of increases will affect consumers already facing difficult conditions with low economic growth, high unemployment (around 35%) and Covid-19 taking its toll over the last two years.
While indigent policies are in place to assist the poor, there are many wealthy people not contributing to the revenue base of the municipality.
We cannot have double standards and this needs immediate attention and intervention.
The low collection rate of just over 50% simply cannot meet budget demands of the municipality.
Employing more people is not the solution, we need a skilled workforce fit for purpose.
A skills audit could expose incompetence and help the struggling municipality to get the basics right.
Urban upgrade and maintenance of existing infrastructure where most of the revenue comes from, should be given top priority while developing rural areas.
You cannot ignore both and need to find a balance. Failure to do so will gradually lead to total collapse of infrastructure and basic service delivery, including regular water outages.
The DA calls on the community of iLembe to oppose the increases, especially since last year consumers paid for sewerage services according to the new valuations without receiving any relief.
The DA further calls on council to put in place relief measures for all, i.e., no tariff on the first R100 000 while exploring ways to help the old and retired who live off social grants or pension funds.
Public participation is the cornerstone of our democracy at all levels. Let us exercise our right and voice out our concerns – and council should listen.
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