THE ongoing tariff increase dispute between the Westville Ratepayers’ Association (WRA) and eThekwini Municipality has gained momentum over the past week, leading to an urgent court appearance. The dispute dates back to April when ratepayers objected to the increased tariff that was initiated in July. They objected, saying there was little to no public engagement in the decision-making of increasing tariffs.

The objection escalated to a boycott, and after a series of letters written by the WRA to the mayor, two meetings between the parties followed where a decision was made to meet regularly. The movement has spread like wildfire across the city where other suburbs joined the battle, forming the eThekwini Ratepayers’ Movement (ERPM) led by the WRA. During this period, the eThekwini Municipality reported that they had met with ratepayers across the city, including uMhlanga, Sydenham and Musgrave.

Also read: Ratepayers appear in court with urgent application

Recently, the ERPM/WRA announced their application for a court interdict that will prevent the municipality from taking action against ratepayers who are participating in the boycott.

“We must make it clear, we are still in the application stage, and the matter is on the ordinary roll to be heard on November 1. Should the municipality go ahead with disconnections on any of our members in the dispute, the WRA/ERPM will make this application urgent. This is an application to interdict the eThekwini Municipality from implementing any of its debt collection and credit control measures, specifically disconnecting the electricity and water supply,” said chairperson Asad Gaffer.

Following that announcement, the municipality refuted rumours on social media that claimed victory for the ratepayers. The rumours implied that the ratepayers had received the interdict that they applied for. eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana stated that there is no interdict but an application for an interdict which their Legal Department is attending to.

Also read: City refutes rumours of court interdict in ratepayers’ battle

“Through the Office of the Speaker, a series of engagements with ratepayers led by Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda are currently taking place throughout the City to assure them of our commitment to provide quality services. We encourage residents to continue paying their accounts as non-payment will attract interest,” said Sisilana.

On Friday, September 8, the ratepayers appeared at the Durban High Court on an urgent application, and this led to their court date, November 1, being brought closer to September 14. The urgent application was to reconnect some households and to prevent further disconnections of participants in their protest campaign. They reported that the relief for reconnections was set aside until Thursday.

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