The DA calls on all residents of Msunduzi Municipality to join us as we march from Dales Park to the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on 12 May 2023 at 12H30 over newly proposed double billing that will put an increased financial burden on rate payers.
The DA will hand over a memorandum to KZN MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi, and Msunduzi Municipality Mayor, Mzimkhulu Thebolla, calling for an immediate halt to the new billing cycle until proper process is followed and public participation is completed.
Msunduzi Municipality remains under extended provincial administration, beleaguered by irregular expenditure, maladministration, and an inability to deliver on basic services. It has further been brought to light that there is a report which will be brought before CoGTA next week which reveals that the municipality is experiencing serious cash coverage challenges. Despite the appointment of two ministerial representatives to the city, as well as a financial advisor, the municipality has been unable to stabilise its finances and the provision of basic services. This is an indictment on CoGTA and the Msunduzi Municipality.
The residents are increasingly being placed under pressure by the city as proposed tariff increases are in the pipeline, despite an unstable provision of electricity, water and refuse services. Under these circumstances, it is horrifying that the city has now in addition unilaterally opted to adopt a new billing cycle which has left thousands of residents confused and under pressure to pay two utility bills in 45 days as part of the transition to a new billing cycle.
The municipality has decided to undertake this new billing system, to improve its cash-flow situation, and to improve reading accuracy, whilst not following proper process and completely side-stepping the public consultation process, thus placing the burden on residents to clean up their dire financial state.
The residents of Msunduzi deserve better and we call on all communities to join us as we march for the right of all communities to a competent and caring government that does not bleed its residents dry.