Randfontein’s tariff increases announced
Residents will see themselves paying an increase of more than 5 percent for the provision of basic services.
Randfontein residents can expect to pay approximately five percent more on their municipal accounts as of July.
This ws announced at the announcement of rates for the 2014/2015 municipal budget on Friday at the Randfontein Local Municipality.
The document stipulates that tariffs for refuse removal in Randfontein will increase by six percent while tariffs for basic sewerage and additional sewerage will increase by 6,2 percent
The price of water will increase with of 8,1 percent, while electricity will increase by 7,3 percent.
What this means is that residents will now have to dig deeper into their pockets to keep their lights on and to have access to other municipal services.
According to Mayoral spokesperson Lucky Chiya, registered indigents will not be affected by the increases.
“Indigent residents are already receiving assistance from the municipality and will be exempt from most of these increases.
Chiya adds that all domestic consumers will receive six kilolitres water free every month.
According to DA leader in the West Rand Brian Blake, the DA and ANC were able to finalize the budget without any major clashes.
“While we had a few disagreements here and there, we were able to sit down and find a way forward with the budget.
“For instance, both parties were able to agree that amendments be made to the budget which will allow for all residents to be charged a flat property rate of 6,2 percent, irrespective of the different property categories.
“They also agreed to our proposal that residents still be accorded free 50 kilowatts of electricity per month,” says Blake.
