“Our services are getting worse year by year, so municipal tariffs should drop, not rise” said one speaker, to loud applause. In support other speakers referred to potholes, lack of streetlights, water interruptions, dirty streets, regular sewerage spills, lazy municipal workers and the deterioration of Mimosa Gardens, among many other problems.
Ward 12 Cllr Saal de Jager, who chaired the meeting, agreed. “Property rates and tariffs in Ngwathe are higher than in each of the larger towns surrounding us.” He said newcomers wishing to buy houses here are often put off completely by the high tariffs.
The meeting voted unanimously that rates and tariffs should not be increased this year. The proposals were for a 6.84% hike in electricity tariffs (subject to NERSA approval), and 5.2% in rates, water, refuse removal and sewerage.
Several ideas on how to improve Parys were proposed. Cllr De Jager will arrange a public meeting to discuss these and said he would invite Mayor Joey Mochela and the Municipal Manager, Mr Bruce Kannemeyer.
As required at an IDP participation meeting, a “wish list” of requirements was drawn up. These covered improving the water supply, electrical supply and streetlights, sewerage system, irrigation water system, cemeteries, parks and open spaces; prioritising environmental safety for visitors along the riverbank and in public parks: and providing better equipment. Among other needs highlighted were by-laws, quality control of often sloppy work done by municipal officials, an accessible garden refuse dump, and better traffic policing in Parys.