SHAME ON THE DA FOR ALLOWING THIS

DURBAN’S mayor recently announced a 6.9% “on average” rates increase. The devil is in the details. On the one hand you have certain pensioners whose rates currently are R139.75 but will increase to R282.67 in August. That, Madam Mayor, is 102.27%. Pensioners’ houses have been revalued, the rand ratage was increased illegally, the rebate for general has not been increased and the pensioner rebate has reduced. All these mathematical facts double these rates.

On the other hand are the “fat-cats” who purchased homes for R5 million in 2012. Somehow the municipal value in 2016 has decreased to R3.3m and these rates from August will reduce by 3.71%.

So it seems that our dear Madam Mayor should be renamed a polar Robin Hood because she is stealing from the poor and giving to the wealthy. Shame on the DA and other parties for allowing her to get away with it without so much as a whimper.

However, Madam Mayor has pulled another fast one, this also directly affecting pensioners who live in homes worth over R2m.

From henceforth they will NO LONGER get any Senior Citizens’ discount. Previously the upper limit was R3m. A very sneaky move.

Again it seems that the DA allowed this disgraceful move as well. Do they deserve their R45 000 a month salaries?

One can only guess that the Guptas are all under 60 and looking to buy homes for R5m. They can get two for the amount they scammed off the top of each locomotive the ANC government recently purchased.

How else does Madam Mayor explain this attack on the finances of middle-class pensioners? DAVE BENNETT

Westville BILLY Moodley and his Victory Lounge in the Durban CBD, (Sunday Tribune Herald, July 2) will never be forgotten.

It is a sad day in Durban’s history, more so for the Indian community, that they have closed their doors after 70 years.

Ever since I can recall I have been captivated by the stories of the Victory Lounge.

The restaurant was the place one always wanted to go back to. It had a reputation for neatness and for the painstaking preparation of curries.

The success of Victory Lounge can be attributed to the input and dedication by the Moodley family who are truly restaurateurs of a rare breed. You have closed a chapter in our history. Even if you move to umhlanga, it will never be the same landmark.

Mallory Munien of Tribune Herald could revive memories of famous eating houses, such as Dheli Restaurant which was run by Jack Moodley. He was, in the 1960s, the “Sol Kerzner” of Durban with his string of restaurants.

We must not forget our history. The entrepreneurial spirit of these families can motivate the youth. Sincere thanks to the Herald for giving us fond memories.

DHAYALAN MOODLEY Mobeni Heights