Tariffs set to increase
The proposed tariff for electricity is between 6.3 percent and 7.6 percent.
Member of the mayoral committee for finance of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), Clr Moses Makwakwa, announced the proposed rates and service tariff increases on Thursday, May 29.
The announcement was made during the EMM’s 2014/15 to 2016/17 budget speech at the Germiston Council Chambers.
The proposed tariff for electricity is between 6.3 percent and 7.6 percent. According to Clr Makwakwa, Eskom’s national tariff increase is 8.06 percent, however the EMM absorb at least 1.3 percent of Eskom’s charges.
The proposed assessment rate increase is 7.5 percent.
The proposed water tariff for both residential and business users will be 8.1 percent, which is the same increase by Rand Water.
The proposed sanitation tariff for both residential and business users will be eight percent.
The refuse removal services are set to increase between 2.4 percent and 7.1 percent for residents and six percent for business.
“Factoring these proposed tariff increases, the average increase on accounts will be an estimated 7.3 percent, compared to the 9.3 percent average increase in the 2013/2014 budget. This is a clear demonstration that we are committed to providing affordable services and to broaden access,” said Clr Makwakwa.
There will be no tariff increase on cemeteries and recreational halls.
The EMM will provide the following social relief packages:
- The first R150 000 on property value is exempted from assessment rates.
- For pensioners, an additional rebate for property assessments ranging from 10 percent to 100 percent.
- Churches and NGO’s are exempt from assessment rates.
- All households receive six kilolitres of water and sanitation services for free.
- The EMM will continue to give an additional incentive of 100 kilowatts of free, basic electricity to low-end users.
“The EMM has a duty to broaden opportunities for those who do not have a secured income, formal jobs, houses, electricity, water and access to health care. We must create opportunities for growth so that those of our people who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged can say this economy is working for them,” said Clr Makwakwa. @BedfordJourno
