THE JPOMA PROPOSAL RECOMMENDS:

◆ Immediate reinstatement of the free lifeline supply of 6 kilolitres of water, with no availability charge for all, or at least for all poor households residing in high-density areas. Apart from the obvious need for water to survive, it is also vital for hygiene to combat the Covid-19 virus.

◆ At least a 50% reduction in sewer charges for the poor residing in highdensity residential units.

◆ No increases in water and electricity charges, especially in the first two utility category/blocks.

◆ Rebates to property owners for administering utility charges on behalf of the city for about 60 000 inner-city units.

◆ No increase in property rates in the current financial year.

THE Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse has also called on municipalities countrywide to reduce property rates under the current state of disaster that was declared as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Municipalities around the country have the ability to assist South Africans financially by cutting or reducing property rates on their municipal bill,” says Julius Kleynhans, strategy and organisation development.

“We have received calls from people who literally have to choose between keeping food on their tables or paying property rates, and municipalities can legally assist by reducing property rates or giving temporary exemption until such time as the state of disaster declaration has been lifted,” he said.

According to the Local Government Municipal Property Rates Act 6 of 2004, municipalities have the mandate to bring relief to its residents by form of exemptions, reductions and rebates on property rates as sections of the act which permits exemptions and reductions within an area affected by a disaster within the meaning of the Disaster Management Act.

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