Ratepayers despair as city approves budget

SEVERAL ratepayer groups have expressed disappointment after eThekwini’s budget was approved.

Many had lobbied against the increases and told the POST that some residents would not be able to afford the increases, even after they were trimmed.

Teddy Govender, chairperson of the Chatsworth and District Civic Federation, said the municipality had once again not listened to ratepayers.

“More than 1 000 people responded to the proposed budget.

“Most of them are barely surviving and are struggling to meet their present commitments to the municipality.

“How will they now afford the increases to lights, water and refuse? The majority of the paying public, who I call ‘the missing middle’, have fallen through the cracks. They are finding it difficult to cope and it’s unfortunate that the city did not hear its residents’ cries.”

Ish Phalad, the chairperson of the Reservoir Hills Ratepayers Association, said there should not have been any increases.

“Right now, we are all struggling. Covid-19 has affected everyone and has left people in debt. Some have been retrenched or didn’t have a job to go back to. Others have taken salary cuts.

“For the municipality to increase the tariffs is not on. This area used to be considered a rich area but now people are selling their beautiful homes to live in outbuildings, because they cannot meet their financial commitments. We continue to pay more taxes and higher tariffs but there is no financial relief for us.”

Navin Dookran, the chairperson of the Clare Estate Ratepayers Association, said that last year he had requested a meeting with mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, to discuss the increase in rates as well as the fact that there were a number of informal settlements in the area.

He said he had not yet received a response.

He also said that he believed there should be no increase for the next five years.

“Every area, including mine, has been hit badly with crime and informal settlements. We need to sort these issues out.

“We need to recover from the financial loss of the lockdown and focus on things like employment, before we start talking about increasing tariffs.

“At the moment, the residents of informal settlements are using our electricity and water and we, the residents, have to pay for it. It’s not fair.”

Sammy Sayed, chairperson of the Merebank Residents Association, said the municipality was insensitive.

“People are struggling to put food on their tables but the municipality is demanding more money. It’s insensitive.

“There is no money available at the moment and this area is not affluent. Our people live below average lives. Companies have agreed to help people.

“Why can’t the municipality do the same for residents?”