GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The immediate implementation of baseline increases in the tariff for water and sanitation proposed by the Dr Beyers Naudé municipality was adopted with a 13-11 vote in yesterday’s Special Council meeting. 

Consequently, the new budget for the 2023/2024 year was approved by council. 

The ANC, CSA and EFF voted in favour of the immediate implementation of the increases while the DA and FF+ voted that the increases be phased in over a period of 3 – 5 years as suggested by National Treasury.  

The implication of the ANC / CSA / EFF vote is that, effective from 1 July this year, the tariff for sanitation will increase by 45% while the water tariff will increase from R11 to R16 per standard unit (kilolitre). 

The increase in the tariff for water translates to an alarming 47,5%. The 2023/2024 budget that was presented to residents during the public participation meetings indicated a 5,3% increase on water and sanitation respectively. 

Mention was made of “baseline increases to reflect cost” but the implication of these increases was never properly explained. 

The shocking reality is that these baseline increases will result in an estimated 22% to 25% increase in Dr Beyers Naudé residents’ monthly municipal accounts. 

This will not affect indigent households but the same cannot be said for those struggling families who do not qualify for IGG. 

DA councillor, Eldrige Ruiters, expressed his disappointment and concern over the adoption of immediate baseline tariff increases. 

“These draconian increases will affect the majority of poor households outside the IGG band,” said Ruiters. “This is NOT a pro-poor budget. Remember this the next time you go to the voting poll.”

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