11.3% increase to your municipal bill if proposed tariff increases pass

The City of Johannesburg (COJ) has released its draft budget and tariff increases for the 2024/25 financial year.

“The proposal says as of July 1, you will be paying even more for city services and already struggling residents will see an 11.3% increase in electricity tariffs,” says Julia Fish, a Melville resident and manager at JoburgCAN, an Outa initiative.

She says municipal bills will reflect the following increases:

•  Rates: +4.8%
•  Electricity: +11.3%
•  Water: +7.7%
•  Sewer: +7.7%
•  Pikitup: +5.9%

“These tariffs at this point are a proposal. For many who may feel that the increases are unjustified or financially difficult for households to absorb, you can comment on the proposal and make an application to the city for the tariffs to be adjusted.

“Residents are getting less service and are paying more for the privilege,” says Fish.
“The percentage of ratepayers who continue to pay diligently and can afford to pay has significantly declined across the city. Illegal connections, bypassed metres and calls for a boycott based on poor delivery of what is supplied, are growing as access to services is getting more and more out of reach in a struggling economy.

“Public meetings will be held in each region of the city to discuss the budget and increases, and residents can object via email and online.”

Ward 88 councillor Nicolene Jonker says, “The proposed tariff increases in Johannesburg, coupled with the persistent service delivery issues, is a grave concern. Residents of the city are entitled to transparency, accountability, and tangible improvements in services that are commensurate with any fee adjustments.

“As a responsible municipality, the current government must prioritise effective governance and address the underlying issues to ensure the residents receive the services they deserve.”

She, and others, urge residents to ‘make your voice heard and comment on the proposed budget increase’.

Ward 99 councillor Nicole van Dyk concurs. “We please need residents to use the opportunity to comment. We currently have an underfunded budget due to loss of revenue.”

Ward 117 councillor Tim Truluck said the documents and proposed budget will be available online soon and public participation meetings will be held.

City Power and capacity charges will go up by 16.74%

Pre-paid electricity being split into two categories:

•  Low Users (indigent customers) +6.36%
•  High Users (regular customers) +18.84%

Pensioner rebate income thresholds for 60–69-year-olds will now be:

•  Under R12 475/month for full rebate
•  R12475–R21383 for half the rebate.

Details of public participation meetings will be shared as details become available.

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