DURBAN – Residents in the Umbilo and Glenwood area have claimed they were not briefed on the tariff increase that comes into effect next month and say they learned of the hikes in newspaper articles.
The eThekwini Municipality announced the new tariffs increase during a council meeting last month, that electricity tariffs had been increased by 14.56%.
A few residents took to the community’s private Facebook group to complain.
“So residents had to be informed via a random media post rather than given a heads up by councillors after the decision was made on Tuesday in Council?” read one post in the private group.
Another resident echoed the surprise and said they had no idea. “I am aware of the yearly increases, however I was not aware that this year’s increase is set to take place in just a week.”
Ward councillor Mmabatho Tembe said no meetings were held. “It was announced in EXCO – no Councillor in the city held meetings but it was sent out for public participation.”
DA chief whip Nicole Graham, said the city has budget hearings and that residents are meant to put in their comments there.
“I think we need to innovate in how we do public participation; it is the same process year in year out. I think the issue is that the people who do submit concerns are being listened to, as opposed to it being a tick box exercise,” she said.
The City’s spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the Municipality hosted budget hearings in six regions where various community structures fully engaged with the Council and provided input on the 2021/22 budget.
“The regional hearings ensured there was maximum reach to communities as the City also partnered with both mainstream and community media. Mayor Kaunda has ensured that all the contributions made by communities and various stakeholders have been considered in this budget,” said Mayisela.
THE MERCURY