DA mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba is urging residents to stand together in light of an apparent 129 per cent tariff hike proposal by Pikitup.
In a press statement, Mashaba said the outrageous increase will hit the poorest residents hardest and cost struggling residents dearly. He called the move “nothing but a financial ambush of unsuspecting consumers”.
The proposal comes a mere week after the illegal Pikitup strike has ended, with workers returning to their jobs on Monday 11 April.
Of course, Mashaba compared the proposed 129 per cent increase to the recent increase by the City of Cape Town, a stark contract at 7.92 per cent.
Mashaba further alleged the City of Johannesburg transfers R650 million a year from rates revenue to Pikitup to fund its shortfall but now expects the entity to generate its income alone.
He criticised the entity for increasing service charges based on land value rather than charging per bin.
“Residents in effect are being doubly charged,” he stated.
“In its latest annual report Pikitup declared a R124 million surplus, which begs the question why it would demand such exorbitant increases?”
He believes it to be a move made to facilitate increases for unionised Pikitup workers who embarked on the illegal strike demanding a larger salary.
“Residents should come out in their numbers and register their objections, standing firm against such an unfair increase,” Mashaba said.
Pikitup spokesperson Jacky Mashapu said he preferred not to comment on the alleged 129 per cent increase, saying CoJ is “still in a process that needs to unfold”. He said a tariff hike was proposed in a council meeting last week but did not want to disclose details. In conclusion, he said CoJ is actually looking at completely restructuring its tariffs, which was also proposed in the meeting.
More to follow.
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