# Ugu

- Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-22-23/ugu/
- Published: 2022-04-07T23:03:27+02:00
- Author: dearSA

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2022/04/07230133/DearSA-ugu-budget-2022-3.jpg "DearSA-ugu-budget-2022-3")

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### Ugu District (Ray Nkonyeni, Umdoni, Umuziwabantu, Umzumbe) calls for public comment on proposed tariff increases, the draft budget and IDP

scroll down to view the increases

## Have your say – shape the outcome.

[ view comments from others before you have a say](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-22-23/comments)

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![D-icon](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/11192438/
D-icon-40x40-1.png "D-icon-40x40")

The Ugu District Municipality 🌊 on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal is in a particularly
tight spot this year. As the Water Services Authority (WSA) for the entire region,
Ugu determines the water and sanitation costs for all the local towns. Because of
its ongoing financial recovery plan and massive infrastructure debt to uMgeni-uThukela
Water, its figures are often higher than the national average.

### INCREASES ARE AS FOLLOWS

**Staff salaries **4.75%

  |   |  **Electricity ⚡** |  **Property Rates 🏠** |  **Refuse 🗑️** |  **Water & San (WSA: Ugu) 💧** |  
   |  **Ray Nkonyeni** (Port Shepstone) |  **9.01%** |  **4.8%** |  **4.8%** |  **~6.0% – 9.0%** |  
 |  **Umdoni** (Scottburgh) |  **9.01%** |  **4.5%** |  **5.0%** |  **~6.0% – 9.0%** |  
 |  **Umuziwabantu** (Harding) |  **8.76%** (E)* |  **4.3%** |  **4.3%** |  **~6.0% – 9.0%** |  
 |  **Umzumbe** |  **8.76%** (E)* |  **4.5%** |  **4.5%** |  **~6.0% – 9.0%** |  
 |  **Staff Salary Benchmark** |  **4.75%** |  **4.75%** |  **4.75%** |  **4.75%** |

_* (E) = These areas are primarily Eskom-direct, meaning the municipality doesn’t
set the rate. They follow the 8.76% Eskom-direct increase approved by NERSA._

    - _The Ugu Water Debt Trap:_ Ugu is attempting to fund the massive uMkomazi 
      Water Project bulk costs. While the direct tariff increase is projected at
      roughly 6% to 9%, the “hidden” cost is in the fixed service charges, which
      are being hiked to address the district’s R1 billion+ debt. 🌊
    - _Ray Nkonyeni’s Tourism Tension:_ As a major tourism hub, RNM has kept rates
      at 4.8% (slightly above the 4.75% salary benchmark). However, businesses in
      Margate and Port Shepstone are highlighting that the combined cost of electricity
      and water is rising faster than their turnover. 🏨
    - _Umuziwabantu’s Collection Crisis:_ With a collection rate of only 68%, this
      municipality is very dependent on grants. Their “low” 4.3% increase for rates
      is a survival tactic—hiking it higher might lead to even lower payment levels.
      📉
    - _The Salary Gap:_ In almost every town in Ugu, the cost of essentials (Water&
      Electricity) is rising by nearly double the 4.75% salary increase given to
      the officials managing those services. 👔

**Do we have the wrong information?**

[ send us the correct info](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-22-23/ugu/%20municipalinfo@dearsouthafrica.co.za?subject=correct%20info%20for%20Ugu%20District%20increases)

### In the News

[ send us a link to a local news article](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-22-23/ugu/%20municipalinfo@dearsouthafrica.co.za?subject=info%20for%20Ugu%20District%20increases)

[ click to view info and documents](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-22-23/summary/#1649774481480-8823cf8f-b365)

[ view all municipalities](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-22-23/)