I write with utter disgust, disdain and contempt regarding the ‘no response’ and absolutely no concern or consideration from the Petition Committee, including the Speaker of the Council, Noluthando Mangole, and councillor Norman Sedumedi, with regard to the petition submitted to Mogale City by pensioners requesting an increase in the rebate from 45 per cent to 65 per cent for 2019/ 2020.
The petition was submitted to Mogale City long before the budget was approved with numerous signatures of pensioners requesting an increase in the rebate, but they simply snubbed, disregarded and totally ignored our request, which is absolutely shocking, appalling and atrocious!
This was likened to a ‘slap in the face’ saying ‘we don’t care about our pensioners, so suck it up and pay up’!
At present the sanitation rate is astronomical since last year’s hefty increase, onto which 15 per cent VAT must still be added, but this year the sanitation tariffs have been applied per m² of property.
There is no 6kl of free water any more, and water tariffs have been increased by 7,9 per cent. Electricity increased by 13 per cent.
I would like Mogale to take note that the Johannesburg Metro gives pensioners over the age of 70 a 100 per cent rates rebate, provided the property is not valued at more than R2,5 million. Compare this to Mogale City, where all pensioners irrespective of age, only get 45 per cent, which is an absolute scandal and disgrace anyway, as what can we do with 45 per cent?
The very least that Mogale City Local Municipality should be doing every financial year is to increase the pensioners’ rebate in line with inflation, taking into account the substantial increases in most municipal charges each year as they keep increasing considerably.
If Mogale City really cared and considered the pensioners, we would not be asking for an increase in our rebate each year, as they should be giving this automatically, when the budget is debated and passed in council.
The cost of living in petrol, food, etc has increased enormously, and most pensioners cannot keep their heads above water in the times we live in. After all is said and done, we have contributed to society all our lives, paying taxes, and contributing to our city, and the little asked for by us, has not been given to us by the insensitive, heartless, and unkind councillors!
I can assure you that the utterly disgusting attitude of these councillors will be taken further.
* Feedback has been requested from Mogale City Local Municipality’s communications office – Ed.
