GTM to increase water rates with 65%

Mayor of Greater Tzaneen Municipality, Maripe Mangena, announced the approval of the IDP budget during a live broadcast on GTM’s Facebook page.

Due to the measures set by lockdown regulations which prohibit public gatherings, the municipality used the social media platform to allow for public participation. It is one of the measures the municipality is adopting to ensure public participation in decision-making. The municipality has placed wi-fi hotspots around community halls in various communities such as Lenyenye, Nkowankowa and Relela to allow for maximum participation.

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“We have made progress since the approval of the last budget. We are however going to provide more details on the progress made, during the state of the municipal address,” he said.
The mayor emphasised the importance of gaining revenue through tariffs to meet the needs of the people and announced the following increased tariffs: property rates 4.5%, electricity rates 8.1%,
refuse waste and sewerage rates 4.5% and water rates 65%.

“The reason for the 65% increase in water tariffs is because the municipality is currently using its own funds to provide the community with water. A document will be released to the public to explain the scope of the problem,” the mayor stated.

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The IDP budget for 2020/2021 financial year is R1.505 billion, an increase of from last year’s budget. This is due to the increase of property rates and external grants from government. The municipality has budgeted over R152 million for electricity reticulation and infrastructure projects for this financial year.

Indigent households will receive a predetermined quantity of electricity, water, sewerage and refuse removal for free on a monthly basis. This budget covers over R20 million for this financial year which will benefit over one thousand households. An additional R12 million has been allocated to continue with the replacement of two Tzaneen main substations which is to be completed next year.

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Among other electricity projects the municipality will introduce a prepaid metering system which will utilises the latest technologies PLC (power line carrier) with concentrators which the municipality will use for monitoring and administration purposes. This tariff will only be made available to prepaid users. The municipal infrastructure grant (MIG) for this financial year is over R93 million.

This grant will cover the building of access roads in areas such as Mopye High School, Matape to Leseka and the upgrading of the Relela access road. It also includes tarring of roads in Nkowankowa A and paving projects in Risava and the main road from Ndhuna Mandlakazi. The MIG grant is divided into a three-year phase where an additional R100 million will be allocated
for the year 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.