‘Cleansing levy’ is an error

THE mysterious “area cleansing fee” of R5,70, which suddenly popped onto residents’ municipal accounts in July, had been an error.

According to Clr Eddie Taylor, DA spokesman of finance, the MMC for finance, Clr Moses Makwakwa, indicated during a programming committee meeting that the item had been gazetted in error and as it had been gazetted, the metro had simply applied the charge.

“He indicated an intention to bring an item to council to reverse that decision at the August meeting. However, no such item appeared. I expect the item to come to council in September, after which the charge will be removed and residents’ accounts will be credited,” Taylor said.

The metro did not confirm this, as EXPRESS, and many other residents, walked into a brick wall trying to find out what the money was for. EXPRESS’ first query was sent through on August 12.

The newspaper then eventually approached the DA for some answers.

The sudden appearance of the levy left many Kemptonians confused.

One resident wrote: “You might think I am petty as to the R5,70 charge but it is the principle and ethic behind this. If I look at the overall stream of income council will receive from all the ratepayers, then yes, I would like clarification of this new levy, as no mention was made in the new budget nor notice received by me regarding this new levy.

“If I am expected to pay this levy, I will therefore expect to see staff daily all over the city and suburbs cleaning the area, which I haven’t, she said.

“So what is this levy actually for as I see no waste management staff cleaning the area? What exactly has been cleaned in our city? All I have to do is walk around in your own council parking area to see that no cleaning has been done. And this is only a drop in the ocean in this city.

“I’ve had to clean up my pavement and the road in my suburb several times after waste management staff have dragged, ripped garbage bags behind them without a care in the world. Is this what is understood by ‘cleansing area levy’?

“And yet, Ekurhuleni boast they were voted the ‘Greenest City in South Africa’ by means of ‘dedicated efforts of various departments within the municipality’, which include waste management.”

Another resident, who could get no answers, wanted to know whether the levy would be used to employ more litter pickers, or additional staff to rid our bridges, walls, electricity boxes and poles of smutty posters for “medical” services?

“My guess is that most, if not all, residents would have no problem paying said levy if it is used for the correct purpose. Sadly, however, I have not noticed any difference yet regarding our litter-strewn roads and illegal posters.”

“Please ask Ekurhuleni to explain how they can just debit our rates accounts with an extra charge,” another said.

“I do not throw litter in the streets and while I am the first to agree our streets are filthy, I don’t see why we must be charged for the litter to be cleaned up. It should be part of what we already pay for (rates and refuse removal).

“After the trucks have removed our black bags there is small litter everywhere which is left to blow around. If they can just charge us, the ratepayers, ad lib, what will we be charged for next?”