TZANEEN – Residents of Tzaneen are expected to face steep increases in water and sanitation tariffs following the approval of the 2026/27 Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget by the Greater Tzaneen Municipality.

Electricity up 9.1%, property rates up 3.7%

According to the municipality’s budget document, electricity tariffs will increase by 9.1%, in line with guidelines from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa).

Property rates and refuse removal charges will increase by 3.7%.

Water and sewerage hikes far steeper

However, much larger increases have been approved for water and sanitation services.

The municipality attributes the increases to:

• Tariff adjustments by Lepelle Northern Water
• Proposals from the Mopani District Municipality
• Costs associated with service delivery operations

The budget document states that the increase for Haenertsburg water users is linked to adjustments to the Lepelle Northern Water tariff. The increases affecting other water users and sewerage services are attributed to proposals from Mopani District Municipality and the associated costs of providing trading services.

R2.5bn operational budget

The tariff increases form part of a broader municipal budget that allocates R2.494 billion for operational expenditure during the 2026/27 financial year.

The municipality said the increase in expenditure is largely due to:

• Rising employee-related costs
• Inventory consumption
• Bulk electricity purchases

Major operational expenses include:

• R550 million – Employee-related costs
• R134 million – Inventory consumed (excluding labour)
• R843 million – Bulk electricity purchases

Capital expenditure projects

The municipality has also allocated R289 million for capital expenditure projects in the coming financial year.

Planned projects include upgrades to roads, electricity infrastructure, substations and wastewater facilities.

Water and sanitation-related projects include:

• Repairs and maintenance to Nkowankowa and Lenyenye wastewater treatment works
• Bulk water infrastructure upgrades
• Sanitation backlog eradication projects within the Mopani District

Residents told differently during public meetings

Wayne Kurten, a councillor for the Freedom Front Plus, said residents had initially been informed during public participation meetings that water and sanitation tariffs would increase by 3.7%, while electricity tariffs would rise by 9.1%.

“There is a significant difference between the figures communicated during the public participation process and those reflected in the final budget,” Kurten said.

Calls for transparency

He said residents deserve clarity regarding the reasons for the increases and called for greater transparency and further public engagement on the matter.

Kurten also expressed concern about the impact the tariff increases could have on households already affected by financial pressure, water interruptions and ageing infrastructure.