In the face of more than 6 000 objections, KwaDukuza council has tried for middle ground by reducing some aspects of rates and tariffs for the 2020/21 financial year.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) rejected the budget tabled during a virtual council meeting on Tuesday, June 23, especially the tariff increases, while it was approved by the African National Congress (ANC) and Al Jamah.

Acting mayor Cllr Dolly Govender said the 6 100 objections and comments received were considered, “however the new budget was compiled under challenging economic conditions” in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and the setbacks it has caused to households.

She said the budget had been completely reworked to account for the effects of the lockdown.

The total budget is about R2 billion, with a capital allocation budget of almost R300 million. The final adjustments made were:

• Rates were reduced from the original 6% to 3% increase.
• General rates rebate decreased from 6% to 3% increase.
• Refuse increase stayed at 4%.
• Electricity – zero increase for domestic use and 6.23% for business.
• Refuse tariff increase remained at 4%.
• Senior management remuneration increases have been reduced from 6.25% to 3.5 % pending approval by national government.
• Council allowance increases reduced from 6% to 5% pending approval by national government.
• Staff cost increases remain unchanged at 6.25%.
• Water tariff increase of 9.6% as dictated by the water board.

Cllr Govender said the effect on consumers taking into effect rates, electricity and refuse removal would be 6.18% for properties worth more than R16 million, 2.18% for properties worth more than R4 million, 1.67% for properties worth R1.25 million, 1.22% for properties worth R800 000, 0.96% for properties worth R200 000 and zero for indigent households.

Commercial properties with a valuation of more than R4 million will see an increase of 6.12% over this year.

Commenting on criticism of an apparent lack of public participation, she said the lockdown had prevented holding meetings, but the fact that more objections and comments had been received than ever before “is proof that our community has intimate knowledge of what is contained within the draft budget and therefore the aim of public consultation had been achieved”.

Salary increases for municipal staff were decided at national level, she said, and therefore were out of the control of council.

However, according to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, final decisions on staff salaries could be made at local level.

Other concerns expressed by ratepayers were quality and lack of service delivery and under spending of capital budget and maintenance.

The Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (Docrra) supported the budget and said they had established a “renewed, respectful and transparent” working relationship with the KDM executive.

“The popularly-held view that management is totally corrupt and completely mismanages our funds is untrue,” said Docrra chairman Deon Viljoen.

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