Increasing service tariffs for Durban residents is insensitive

THE recent decision by the eThekwini Municipality to increase tariffs, is a smack in the face for residents who are paying exorbitant amounts every month for services like water, electricity, sewage removals and councillors’ salaries.

Unlike Joburg where R400 million has been put back into the hands of residents who have suffered the consequences of the Covid-19 lockdown, Durban councillors forged ahead with passing these insensitive increases.

African Democratic Change (ADeC) condemns, in the strongest terms, the draconian municipal tariffs paid by Durban residents. The impact of the pandemic and lockdown has meant thousands lost their jobs. In the current economic climate any decision to increase tariffs must be resisted.

Municipal tariffs are used to supplement the city budget. This means we contribute to paying millions of rand that has been siphoned out of the city coffers through mismanagement, corruption, and looting of city funds by greedy politicians and officials.

Over 40% of water purchased by eThekwini Municipality from Umgeni Water is lost and unaccounted for. This means residents are paying 40% more to cover the costs of water loss.

Lack of controls, outdated meters and ageing infrastructure all contribute to the ridiculously high cost of water in

Durban. Councillors took an increase in their allowances at a time when workers took salary cuts or lost their jobs. During the lockdown, all councillors were locked up at home, yet took full salaries. Is it any wonder we have to pay these massive increases?

The municipal council agreed to bail out uShaka Marine World with a cash injection of R160m.

In these difficult times, the Marine World is a nice-to-have. During the lockdown this place was closed and due to lockdown regulations, no tourists are visiting this theme park. Why on Earth would councillors agree to spend R160m on a park that may well be closed during this period?

ADeC has been inundated with requests from many residents in the city who have unexplained bills.

In one case, a pensioner living with only his wife and receiving an average bill of R900, suddenly gets a bill of R9 000, an increase of 1 000%. Councillors and staff at the municipal offices insist that these residents must sign an acknowledgement of debt. Our own protests and letters of objection had this bill reversed.

The billing system in eThekwini is in a shambles. The revenue management system cost ratepayers R505m to develop, far more than the initial cost estimate of R90m.

In 2013, a consultancy company was paid R650 000 a month to oversee its implementation. The company awarded the contract was shrouded in secrecy and attempts by the media to track down its owners were in vain.

This whole thing smells of another corrupt project and ratepayers are paying for it.

ADeC has embarked on city-wide protests in the form of placard demonstrations to voice our anger and disapproval of these increases.

The councillors we elected, have obviously abandoned the very voters that put them there in the first place.

It’s time to change the lot of them. VISVIN REDDY