Homeowners and residents in Johannesburg can expect to pay more for water, electricity and municipal services in the coming financial year. The City of Joburg has published its draft tariffs for the 2011/12 year.
The increases are effective from 1 July and include:
- An increase in the price of water of 14%, with 6kl of water free every 30 days;
- A 27,7% increase in the price of electricity following Eskom’s legislated increase of 26,7%.
- A 5% hike in prices for residents using prepaid meters
- A 6,7% increase for waste-removal services.
According to Gerald Dumas, executive director for finance, the increases had not been finalised but have been approved for public comment.
He says that a process of public participation is required prior to the increases being finalised. Residents have until 30 April to respond.
Joburg Advocacy Group’s (Jag) spokeswoman Lee Cahill says the proposed increase seems to “be within reason” with some fiscal discipline being exercised, particularly by City Power, after speculation indicated that electricity prices could rise by 35%.
However, she emphasised that Joburg needed to improve its levels of service to ratepayers and residents and said that this would not come about through higher service fees but from better management.
The Parkhurst Residents’ Association chairwoman Cheryl Labuschagne said the proposed increases are exorbitant and way above inflation. She says that suburban infrastructural improvements are lagging and service delivery in the city is inconsistent.
But Saxonwold and Parkwood Residents’ Association chairman Theo Covary says the increases are “way overdue” because services in the city are cheap and people are not trying to save electricity or separate waste for recycling.
He says people need to be less wasteful and more energy efficient.
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