eThekwini budget: ActionSA calls on residents to reject highest tariff hikes of any metro

20 April 2023

ActionSA notes with great concern that eThekwini Metro has recorded the highest tariff increases compared to other metropolitan cities for the new financial year starting on 1 July 2023.

ActionSA voted against the draft budget in which these tariff hikes were proposed, and we will continue to encourage the ANC, EFF and NFP-led coalition to reconsider this decision and table a budget with more reasonable tariff increases that take into account the plight of the residents of eThekwini.

We call on the public and ratepayers of eThekwini to reject the proposed budget draft that is currently out for public participation.

The City of Cape Town (the best-performing metro according to this index) proposed a decrease of -1.1% for rates, while eThekwini proposed a staggering increase of 8.9% on Durban residents who are still suffering the aftereffects of the July Unrests and torrential floods from this time last year. Damage from the floods that the eThekwini Metro has done little to resolve to assist businesses and households of the city.

For Water, eThekwini proposed an increase of 14.9%, while Cape Town proposed 8.6%.

For electricity, eThekwini has proposed an increase of 21.91%, while Cape Town proposed 17.6%.

*Please see table below:

According to a study conducted by Good Governance Africa, where they ranked Metropolitan Municipalities from best to worst according to data gathered under categories: Administration, Service delivery, Planning & Monitoring as well as development, eThekwini was ranked as one of the worst performing Metro Municipalities, while Cape Town was ranked the best performing Metro.

With this information at hand, both cities are one of South Africa’s high-ranking tourist attractions with beautiful beachfronts and iconic landmarks, however, eThekwini has all but been run aground by a gutless, politically expedient administration that seeks to fleece its residents even more.

This exorbitant increase in rates has implications for investment into the city as the cost of doing business is far preferable in other cities which means eThekwini’s economy will continue to wane.

As ActionSA, we voted against the draft budget, and we will continue to encourage the ANC, EFF and NFP-led coalition to reconsider this decision and table a reduced tariff budget when the budget is due for adoption.

We call on the public and ratepayers of eThekwini to reject the proposed budget draft.

Issued by Zwakele Mncwango, ActionSA KZN Provincial Chairperson, 20 April 2023