Rates hike not justified

Here we are in the middle of a viral attack on the health of the world, and now the NMB municipality indicates it intends to increase rates.

Under the circumstances where businesses have had to close and many workers are left with pay being restricted, many people have not been able to be fed and had to rely on food parcels to survive.

In the first place, if the salary bill is 30% of the cost, is this increase justified, considering the state of the municipal output?

Inflation is around 4% and is increased by government costs of electricity, bailing out SAA and other loss leaders egged on by corruption.

The previous mayor did his best to siphon off funds from the municipality to build up his ego regarding the nonwhite areas, and to buy support.

It appears he also managed to sideline some of that money to other uses.

Because of the inability of the council to meet, there has not been progress in local affairs, and this is another reason we have an “acting” mayor.

It is now time that the DA gets its vote in order and encourages the marginal parties to give support in getting a vote of no-confidence passed, have a functional council in place that can run the affairs of the city and put a stop to the custom of filling their back pockets for their own benefit.

We are now told that water is scarce, but we have been in a drought situation for nearly five years and Nooitgedacht is still not functional, but Mr Lungisa says he can get a desalinated water plant in operation in six weeks!

More pie in the sky! This is the time for a clearly defined action plan, and for the responsible people to put the Bay and surrounds at the top of the priority list.

Is this increase justified, considering the state of the municipal output?