RATEPAYERS may need to brace for higher costs as the eThekwini Municipality opens public participation on its proposed 2025/26 budget, which includes significant tariff increases.

Also read: eThekwini tariff hikes widely condemned

The full council approved the start of the public participation process for the draft 2025/26 budget and the 2026/27 Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) during its sitting on March 31.

In a statement, the municipality said the proposed tariff increases are necessary to fund the revitalisation of electricity, roads, and water infrastructure.

The draft budget amounts to R71.3b, with the MTREF allocation split into an operating budget of R64.2b and a capital budget of R7.1b. The operating budget covers the municipality’s day-to-day expenses and revenue, while the capital budget is dedicated to long-term investments in infrastructure, equipment, and property.

Councillor André Beetge said the DA does not support this draft budget and encourages citizens to actively interrogate the content and to contribute towards the final budget during the budget roadshows this month and in May.

“One cannot lose sight that the core inflation rate is presently 3.5% with headline inflation projected to average around 4.5%. We also hear that Nersa will be enforcing an electricity increase of 12.74% and uMngeni-uThukela Water will burden the city with an increase of 13.5% against water. Why should the already overburdened ratepayers of this city be expected to foot the bill for the failure of national and state-owned entities to properly manage their institutions?” asked Beetge.

Mayor Cyril Xaba has on several occasions acknowledged that the city loses 56% of its water through leaks and illegal connections. Beetge said that the city should be working to bridge those losses.

“All we hear is of this ever-changing water turnaround strategy that has, over the past three financial years, yielded no more water into taps, yet succeeded in increasing the debtors to a staggering R36b. When will they realise that we are taxing residents to the point where they simply cannot afford to pay any more?” Beetge questioned.

The draft budget and proposed tariffs are accessible at www.durban.gov.za.

Proposed tariff increases

Electricity – 12.72%

Water
• Domestic – 15%
• Business – 16%

Refuse removal
• Domestic – 9.9%
• Business – 9%

Sanitation
• Domestic – 13%
• Business – 14%.

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