Higher municipal tariffs were instated on July 1 as new municipal budgets were adopted across the country. For City of Cape Town residents, this means ratepayers can expect a 5% increase in solid waste and refuse collection.

Electricity tariffs will also increase by 8.88%-13.37%. A 9% increase has also been projected on current water tariffs.

According to MEC for Local Government spokesperson James-Brent Styan, determining tariff hikes was difficult as it requires a balance to keep both municipalities and the communities they serve happy.

“Each municipality determines their own tariffs although the national Treasury issues a budget circular that provides guidance on the percentage increases, and on electricity Nersa provides the percentage increase and municipalities will act within those parameters,” he said to IOL. “We work together with our councils to keep the rates as low as possible and also understand that our communities are struggling but we are faced with municipalities that are having to increase the services that they provide.”

The various rates increases are as follows:

– Block 1 energy rate will increase by 13.37%

– Block 2 energy rate will increase by 8.88%

– Refuse collection tariffs will increase by 5%

– Solid waste tariffs will increase by 5%

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