Outrage over sharp refuse tariff increase on North Coast
Municipal workers surveyed houses to identify additional living areas such as granny flats and sublet rooms, which KwaDukuza municipal spokesperson, Sipho Mkhize, said will be charged separately for refuse removal.
A surprise increase in refuse billing costs left many North Coast residents confused and frustrated earlier this week.
Complaints shot across local WhatsApp groups, as some homeowners saw an unexpected retroactive charge of between R1 748 and R3 496 added onto their monthly service bill.
Some residents even went so far as to request that the municipality cease collecting their refuse and threatened rates boycotts.
In the email sent to affected residents by the KwaDukuza municipality (KDM), the source of the extra charges came from a survey dated June 2022, which further added to the confusion.
KDM spokesperson Sipho Mkhize confirmed the charges were based on the survey.
“The purpose and intent of the survey was to ensure that municipal consumers’ refuse billing is accurate and a true reflection of what is happening on the ground,” he said.
Municipal workers surveyed houses to identify additional living areas such as granny flats and sublet rooms, which Mkhize said should be charged separately for refuse removal.
“The increase is based on the difference in number of units previously billed per month compared to what the survey findings were for a period of eight months (July 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023) and at the applicable tariff,” he said.
The cost per extra unit is R218.56 per month, which when multiplied by eight, reaches the aforementioned total of R1 748 which most affected residents received.
Mkhize confirmed the back-charge was a once off payment, after which each residence will pay an extra cost of R218.56 per unit per month.
Addressing the frustration, Mkhize said residents should validate whether the increases were correct.
“Do they have additional dwellings, granny flats, etc? If not, they may send an e-mail to shireenl@kwadukuza.gov.za who will escalate this further for investigation,” he said.
“Residents may contact Credit Control on 032 437 55 22 should they wish to conclude payment arrangements.”
Follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube for breaking news
Telegram Broadcast Service: https://t.me/joinchat/yJULuN8NaCs5OGM0
WhatsApp Broadcast Service: Add The Courier to WhatsApp at 082 792 9405 and WhatsApp your name and surname to be added.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
