King Cetshwayo District municipality (uMhlathuze, Mthonjaneni, Nkandla, uMfolozi, uMlalazi) calls for public comment on proposed tariff increases, the draft budget and IDP
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- Proposed increases are available in the summary below
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In this district, the King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM) serves as the Water Services Authority (WSA) for most locals, while the City of uMhlathuze manages its own water and electricity.
THE INCREASES ARE AS FOLLOWS
Staff salaries 4.75%
| Electricity (Dom) ⚡ | Property Rates 🏠 | Water & San 💧 | Refuse 🗑️ | |
| City of uMhlathuze | 9.01% | 4.7% | 5.5% | 4.7% |
| uMlalazi (Eshowe) | 9.01% | 4.5% | ~5.22%* | 4.5% |
| Mthonjaneni (Melmoth) | 10.92% | 4.8% | ~5.22%* | 4.8% |
| uMfolozi (Kwavambo) | 9.01% | 4.5% | ~5.22%* | 4.5% |
| Nkandla | 9.01% | 4.5% | ~5.22%* | 4.5% |
| Staff Salary Increase | 4.75% | 4.75% | 4.75% | 4.75% |
*Water and Sanitation figures for these municipalities are set by the King Cetshwayo District Municipality (KCDM).
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- The uMfolozi “Fresh” Budget: The Honourable Mayor, Councillor Xolani Bhengu, presented the 2026/27 budget to coastal communities only on 16 April 2026.
- The 9.01% Electricity Ceiling: Following the NERSA guidelines issued earlier this year, most locals are sticking to the 9.01% benchmark. However, Mthonjaneni is proposing a higher 10.92% markup to recover “generation capacity charges” and infrastructure losses. 🔌
- The District Water Split: Because KCDM controls the water for almost everyone except uMhlathuze, residents in the outlying areas should be commenting on the ~5.22% district increase. This is notably higher than the 4.75% staff salary increase, suggesting an “efficiency gap” in water delivery. 🌊
- uMhlathuze’s Industrial Burden: As a major industrial and energy hub, uMhlathuze has kept rates at 4.7%, which is roughly aligned with the salary benchmark. This is a disciplined move aimed at keeping the Richards Bay port and industry competitive. 🏗️
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