LETTERS: We need realistic increases

I have had meetings with ratepayers, personally, telephonically and through Facebook and we are in agreement with the following:
The KwaDukuza municipality must be complimented for their inflation-linked increases which will come into effect from July 1. The general acceptance of the refuse and electricity tariff increase is unanimous. However, the general consensus for the rates increase is not acceptable.
The general feeling is that there should be a zero percent increase in rates. Every four years, in compliance with the Local Government Municipality Property Rates Act No 6 of 2004, requires that a valuation roll of all properties be compiled. The last valuation was done last year (2015). Although the KwaDukuza Municipality did not increase the rates per se but by increasing the valuation of most of the properties the rates automatically went up. Furthermore, the municipality has cut spending on repairs and maintenance of existing infrastructure from 40 per cent to 24 per cent. There should be a rethink because if existing infrastructure is neglected it would cost the ratepayers more at the end of the day.
The ILembe municipality has proposed a 17 per cent tariff increase plus VAT. This is unacceptable. In 2015 ILembe also increased their tariff by 17 per cent plus VAT. In South Africa most of the increases are based on inflation. Even salary increases by national, provincial and local government is based on the current inflation rate, which is hovering around 6.7 per cent.
Where does one find the money to pay the municipal increase of 17 per cent plus VAT? There have been massive price increases in the basic food stuff (including milk and bread) fuel, toll fees and the repo rate. ILembe must reduce the increase from 17 to 6.7 per cent.
The municipalities should realise that many people live on fixed incomes and also have various other commitments (bond, grocery bills, clothing, children’s education). In the real world, money does not stretch and wages do not go up in notches plus inflation. Remember ratepayers toil hard for their money and they expect reasonable or no increases at all.
I hope the municipalities consider the plight of their ratepayers and heed their call.
P H MAHARAJ
Stanger