Residents petition against proposed traffic hikes

FOLLOWING the announcement of increases to water and electricity accounts for residents within the eThekwini Municipality, the Democratic Alliance (DA) responded to the tariff hikes by encouraging residents to sign a petition against the increases.

The city’s draft budget proposes that electricity will increase by 14.4 per cent for homes and 15.5 per cent for businesses, and water tariffs will increase by 15 per cent.

The petition states that residents can’t afford the proposed rates due to additional burdens such as increases to fuel, electricity and household goods. Ward 64 councillor Gavin Hegter said the petition has not only been well received throughout the city, but also by the residents of ward 64.

“I feel that the increases proposed in the draft budget are excessive and yet another way to rob the shrinking rates base. It is not conducive to attracting investment in the city, which would contribute to job creation and employment growth. There is a hard copy in my office at Yellowwood Park Civic Centre for any residents who can’t sign the online petition. I will be setting up various information tables and hosting street meetings in the ward over the next few weeks and residents can sign the petition at any of these events,” he said.

Hegter added that the petition would soon be presented to the city’s council to justify the lowering of the proposed tariffs.

DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 876 3179
The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?

Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.

(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)