Residents in uproar over proposed tariff increases

Msunduzi’s proposed tariff increases are glaringly disproportionate to the quality of services provided. This is the view of residents and ratepayers in Pietermaritzburg, who flocked to the City Hall to object to the proposed tariff increases on Thursday evening.

The state of the city cemeteries and public pools are two areas residents highlighted where the proposed tariff increases are especially unreasonable.

Many ratepayers associations were also present to represent their areas and provide feedback to their communities. The large turnout filled the council chamber to maximum capacity, and even spilled into adjoining chambers.

Decrying the high increases in tariffs in proportion to the poor service delivery received, many residents were vocal about their feelings that the tariff increases do not match the level of service provided.

“Before the meeting started, you adhered to culture. In my culture, we don’t only bury, we cremate as well. The crematoriums in Msunduzi are not functioning but you put in a tariff increase of over 300%, how is that possible?” a Ward 32 resident asked the deputy mayor.

Another concern raised was over the 899% tariff increase for the city’s public swimming pools.

“I almost had a heart attack when

I saw there is an 899% increase in the use of swimming pools. The swimming pools at the moment are R14 to R18. You are saying that you are going to make people pay R142 per person to use the swimming pools. Rather just close all the pools and make them car parks.

“The Olympic pool is green, [so we have to use] Woodlands pool. If the Woodlands pool is green, we have to go to the Olympic pool. Eastwood pool is closed. You want an 899% tariff increase, but on a Sunday, those pools are not open because you don’t want to pay the life savers overtime. We forced ourselves into the pool. We are residents and we will do that,” a resident said.

Msunduzi deputy mayor Mxolisi Mkhize, who also chaired the meeting, responded by saying that the meeting will focus on tariffs, and not the issues of service delivery. He said service delivery complaints would be dealt with separately.

“We will host a number of imbizos where residents are welcome to come and raise their concerns but this platform is to engage on tariffs. Let us focus on tariffs in this meeting,” he said.

A former councillor, who served for 15 years, stressed that radical change in service delivery was needed to justify such high tariff increases.