Mayor weighs in on rate hikes
In response to increased pressure from a furious community, Mayor, Afzul Rehman said September was the toughest month for consumers every year.
Has your latest municipal account left you with a heavy heart?
A recent poll on newcastleadvertiser.co.za showed 36 per cent of readers had electricity bill increases of between R500 and R1 000, while 23 per cent had been upped by between R1 000 and R1 500 this month.
Residents have united in protest, calling the Municipality out on the matter.
In response to increased pressure from a furious community, Mayor, Afzul Rehman said September was the toughest month for consumers every year.
“At this time of the year, the complaints are always the same.”
Cllr Rehman said an estimation of electricity usage last month and resultant short-paying by residents had brought a tremendous increase down on the shoulders of Newcastle.
He said this could not be allowed, promising to review the situation urgently.
“I will sit with the Department (Budget and Treasury) and look at billing, monthly cycles and average readings.”
Giving his assurances that every person who approached his office with a legitimate query would be dealt with, Cllr Rehman said residents needed to compare consumed units from 2014 to this year.
“Not one person has been able to prove the Municipality wrong so far.”
Cllr Rehman said while electricity consumption was expensive, he urged the community to bear in mind the 12 per cent increase granted to Eskom.
“There is an increase in all rates – this is the painful truth.”
And while residents took to social media to voice their upset, Cllr Rehman said a similar fuss had been kicked up about the prepaid metering system.
“This year, prepaid meters became available, but we have heard little from the community.”
Cllr Rehman further slammed rumours of rates increases funding the new superblock as hogwash, stating the budgetary process remained transparent, and the building was funded from Newcastle Municipality’s internal reserves.
“If there is money being made, where is it?”
He explained the new civic centre would eliminate leasing and rentals, saying he would rather pay back a loan than fund a landlord.
In addition, Cllr Rehman said increases were being monitored at a national level.
“We have oversight committees in place and the National Energy Regulator (Nersa) involved. They are watching for any wrongdoing; we are not an island and the Municipality is not above the law.”
The matter was further discussed in a sitting of the Executive Committee, where it was appealed for the Municipality to not be hard on its consumers.
Cllr Rehman believes many need help to understand how the system functions.
“We also decided that over the long-term, 40 per cent of electricity will come from other resources, such as the proposed ‘waste to energy plant’ and solar farm.”
Over the short-term, Cllr Rehman indicated the Municipality was looking into high-pressure geysers and alternative payment schemes.
He also confirmed actual meter readings had resumed this month.
“Last month, estimations were made due to staff shortages. We are back to taking readings again.”
Ahead of a Ward Three community meeting to discuss electricity increases et al, councillor, Matthew Shunmugam said residents had to be aware of the times they were living in.
“Times are tough and we need to tighten the belts. We cannot deny the economy is under severe strain.”
With electricity consumption patterns wholly different in winter months, Cllr Shunmugam also promised to seek answers to the burning questions from residents.
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