The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Msunduzi Municipality strongly opposes the proposed 2025/26 draft tariffs, which include an alarming 36% increase in electricity and a 15.5% hike in water tariffs (view the draft here).
These proposals were presented during an Executive Committee meeting and, while still in the draft stage, are set to undergo public consultations in February.
The said meetings are scheduled as follows:
• 11 February 2025 – Government at 10h00 in City Hall
• 12 February 2025 – Business Sector at 10h00 in City Hall
• 13 February 2025 – Residents and Civic Organizations at 17h00 in City Hall.
These high hikes can be avoided by:
• Reducing losses by disconnecting the areas that are not paying.
• Sorting the billing system.
• Act on those that are tampering.
• Installing smart prepaid meters to eliminate tampering for electricity.
• Sorting out the indigent registration.
The DA leadership will also engage with all relevant stakeholders to oppose these exorbitant increases and propose the tariffs that are reasonable to the residents. We cannot keep burdening the same rate base which end up subsidizing those that steal.