Rebates show care

IN LINE with our commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in society and alleviating poverty, the City of Cape Town provides rates rebates to those most in need.

During the 2016/17 financial year, the City provided rates rebates of more than R93.8 million to 27 989 senior citizens and people with disabilities.

The City has also waived R5.5 million in rates for 2 172 indigent residents.

The total rates forgone in the form of rebates, exemptions, and reductions amounted to over R1.2 billion in the period ending on June 30 this year.

As we continue to build a world-class city, and as a caring city administration, we recognise that we have to ensure that disadvantaged residents are not pushed further into poverty.

This is part of our goal to become a more responsive and customer-centric city, with enhanced service delivery as intended by the City’s Organisational Development and Transformation Plan.

The rebates forgone for the past financial year underline our commitment to building a caring and inclusive city, while also maintaining prudent financial management.

Other rebates, reductions, and exemptions for the 2016/17 financial year include:

R128.2 million for religious institutions (2 120 beneficiaries).

R 76.7m for public benefit/nonprofit and sports organisations (1 910 beneficiaries).

R67.2m for agricultural organisations (618 beneficiaries).

R1.4m for land reform beneficiaries (75).

As promised when we delivered the City’s 2016/17 budget for progress and opportunities, the rates rebates and exemptions ensure that rates are affordable to our residents most in need and that all residents access opportunities regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances. Patricia de Lille The City’s Executive Mayor