RESIDENTS are angry with the Polokwane Municipality.
This is because people living within the municipality in Limpopo will have to dig deep in their pockets as of Saturday, 1 July.
This after the municipality implemented new tariffs with effect from 1 July 2023.
Council approved the new tariffs following a public participation process in April 2023 for the 2023/2024 financial year.
Residents will now pay more for electricity, water, sanitation, and waste removal and assessment rates. The residents are complaining that they won’t afford the new rates considering the unstable economy. Some asked why the municipality increased rates for water while they spend weeks without getting water from their taps.
“We have over a month at Extension 71B without water. They have also increased the price of electricity while we’re experiencing load shedding. We are in deep trouble,” said Tumelo Masilo (49).
Khutso Ramokwele (36) said: “Instead of resolving the incorrect billings, they increase rates. The municipality wants to bury us alive with these new rates.”
Other residents accused the municipality of not taking their financial situations into consideration, calling upon the council to reconsider the rates.
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Municipal spokesman Thipa Selala said due to the global and domestic economic downturn, the municipality had to increase its tariffs on water and electricity by a block percentage ranging from 6% to 15% and 15,10%, respectively, while all other services such as rates and taxes were increased by 6%.
“When approving the new tariffs, council took into consideration the current socio-economic challenges including the ongoing difficulties in the national and local economy. These include the increased cost of bulk purchases from water and electricity bulk providers that are placing an upward pressure on service tariffs,” said Selala.
Electricity will increase by 15,10%, water by 15,75%, sanitation by 6%, waste removal by 6% and assessment rates by 6%.
Selala said council made a provision of a subsidy of R272 million for free basic services to qualifying residents who can't afford to pay for services.
“Residents will get 6Kl of free water, 100kWh units of electricity, 100% subsidy for refuse removal and sewage charges, as well as 100% rebate on assessment rates. To qualify as indigent, the household income must not exceed R5 160 per month,” he said.
