DEAR Editor:
The Democratic Alliance in the Ugu District Municipality completely rejects the proposed 22% water tariff increase and the withdrawal of the 6kl free monthly water allowance. According to the DA’s calculations, this will have a massive impact on residents throughout the district. On a monthly average bill of R300 and R500, there will be a 54% and 41% increase respectively. This will put a massive strain on already struggling residents, pensioners and the poor.
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This increase comes on the back of years of poor service delivery faced by residents with prolonged water outages, lack of maintenance and poor water relief supply. This has been a constant burden to residents ever since the salt water crisis of December 2015. There has been no relief to the constant mismanagement, rogue employee behaviour and lack of consequence management. Additionally, the financial management of the municipality is dysfunctional. There has been a billing crisis with incorrect and lack of billing since October 2017.
Several failed turnaround strategies have delivered a worsening situation. In addition to lack of billing, the Ugu District Municipality cannot account for over 35% of its water reticulation. The Democratic Alliance continues to urge MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube to place Ugu District Municipality under Section 139 administration.
The Democratic Alliance urges all residents of Ugu to stand united in rejecting the proposed 2019/20 water tariff increases.
Life has become too expensive for ordinary South Coasters, and these exorbitant tariff increases are simply unaffordable. We call on residents and ratepayers associations to join us on a picket during the public participation meeting at Uvongo Town Hall on Tuesday 16 April at 4pm.
When tabling our rejection to the proposed tariff increases at May’s council meeting, we plan to table a petition to show that South Coasters agree with our position. To add your signature, contact your local DA councillor or CLICK HERE
Enough is enough. Stand up and say no.
DA UGU CAUCUS
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