OR Tambo District municipality (Ingquza Hill, King Sabata Dalindyebo, Mhlontlo, Nyandeni, Port St Johns) 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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THE INCREASES ARE AS FOLLOWS
Staff salaries 4.75%
Since ORTDM manages these services for the entire district, these figures apply to every town from Mthatha to Port St Johns.
| Proposed Increase (%) | Context / Reason | |
| Water Provision | ~6.0% | Driven by bulk purchase costs and the ongoing infrastructure revitalisation in the Mthatha-corridor. |
| Sanitation (Sewerage) | ~6.0% | Aligned with water increases to fund network maintenance and plant upgrades. |
| Electricity (Domestic) | Property Rates | Refuse Removal | |
| King Sabata Dalindyebo | 11.3% – 14.0%* | 4.7% | 4.7% |
| Nyandeni | 9.01% | 4.5% | 4.5% |
| Ngquza Hill | 9.01% | 4.7% | 4.7% |
| Mhlontlo | 9.01% | 4.5% | 4.5% |
| Port St Johns | 9.01% | 4.7% | 4.7% |
*KSD (Mthatha) is the district outlier for electricity, currently reviewing a “Cost of Supply” study that may push domestic hikes toward the 14% mark to cover aging grid maintenance.
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- The Mthatha “Grid Tax”: KSD is proposing an electricity hike of up to 14%. This is nearly triple the 4.75% salary increase given to municipal staff. With Mthatha facing frequent power outages and aging infrastructure, asking for a double-digit hike is a massive trigger.
- The “Mbhashe Comparison” (Neighbor Shock): While OR Tambo locals are hovering around 4.5% for rates, the neighboring Mbhashe Local Municipality has proposed a staggering 20% property rates hike for 2026/27. Will OR Tambo be next?
- The “Waterless” Hike: Across the District, the 6% water hike is being proposed despite persistent supply challenges in rural areas. For many residents, paying 6% more for an intermittent service is a significant point of objection.
- Port St Johns Refuse: Given the tourism-centric nature of Port St Johns, the 4.7% refuse hike should be framed around the visible quality of service delivery—are the streets cleaner, or are residents just paying more for the same?
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