# uMgungundlovu - Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-22-23/umgungundlovu-2/ - Published: 2023-04-09T20:37:46+02:00 - Author: dearSA ![select your municipality below to have a say on tariff increases](https://cdn. dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/01165003/municipal-increases-header. jpg "municipal increases") ![DEAR-SOUTH-AfFRICA](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/ 02/08135845/DEAR-SOUTH-AfFRICA.png "DEAR-SOUTH-AfFRICA") ### uMgungundlovu District municipality (Impendle, Mkhambathini, Mpofana, Msunduzi, Richmond, uMngeni, uMshathi) 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) **Do you agree with the proposed tariff/rates increases? (scroll down to view) ** **what is your concern? ** As you've selected 'All of the above', if you had to choose a top concern, what would it be? **What is your preferred channel for feedback on this campaign?** **Your preferred language?** **What is your status? (for our reporting purposes only) ** **Check your email address then hit send! You will be redirected to a confirmation page. ** ![D-icon](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/11192438/ D-icon-40x40-1.png "D-icon-40x40") The uMgungundlovu District in KwaZulu-Natal is currently a major focus for the 2026/ 2027 budget cycle. As of April 18, 2026, the district is seeing a significant split: Msunduzi (Pietermaritzburg) has proposed one of the lowest property rates increases in the country, but this is contrasted by massive double-digit hikes for water 💧 and sanitation across the entire region. In this district, Msunduzi acts as its own Water Services Authority (WSA), while the uMgungundlovu District Municipality (UMDM) provides water and sanitation services to the other six local municipalities. ### INCREASES ARE AS FOLLOWS **Staff salaries **4.75% **Msunduzi Local Municipality (Pietermaritzburg)** Msunduzi’s draft budget, discussed in council and public sessions as recently as this week, highlights a strategy of“ minimal rates growth” paired with “cost-reflective utilities.” | | **Proposed Increase (%)** | **Context / Reason** | | **Property Rates** | **1.2%** 📉 | A “low outlier” intended to cushion residents, though ratepayers argue property valuation hikes may offset this. | | **Electricity** | **9.26%** ⚡ | Aligned with the NERSA-approved municipal bulk increase. | | **Water** | **13.0%** 🚩 | Driven by the **13% bulk increase** from uMgeni-uThukela Water. | | **Sanitation** | **13.0%** | Mirroring water hikes to fund aging sewer network repairs. | | **Refuse Removal** | **3.7%** 🗑️ | Pegged below the current inflation target. | **uMgungundlovu Locals (The “District Water” Group)** For the remaining locals, the District Municipality (UMDM) determines the water and sanitation costs, while the locals set their own rates, refuse, and electricity tariffs. | | **Electricity** | **Property Rates** | **Refuse** | **Water & San (WSA: UMDM)** | | **uMngeni (Howick)** | **9.01%** | **~3.5% – 4.5%*** | **4.5%** | **~13.0% – 15.0%** | | **Richmond** | **9.01%** | **4.6%** | **4.6%** | **~13.0% – 15.0%** | | **uMshwathi** | **9.01%** | **4.5%** | **4.5%** | **~13.0% – 15.0%** | | **Mpofana** | **10.92%** | **4.5%** | **4.5%** | **~13.0% – 15.0%** | | **uMkhambathini** | **9.01%** | **4.5%** | **4.5%** | **~13.0% – 15.0%** | | **Impendle** | **9.01%** | **4.5%** | **4.5%** | **~13.0% – 15.0%** | _*uMngeni (under Mayor Chris Pappas) has historically aimed for 0% or low-CPI rates increases to encourage investment, but is currently navigating high infrastructure maintenance costs._ - _The 13% Water Crisis:_ The 13% hike for water and sanitation is nearly triple the 4.75% staff salary increase given to municipal employees. - _Msunduzi’s “Rates Buffer”:_ At 1.2%, Msunduzi has the lowest property rates hike in the district. However, resident associations (MARRC) are pointing to R715 million in electricity losses and R116 million in water losses as the reason why utility hikes are so high—residents are effectively paying for the municipality’s “leakage.” 🚰 - _uMngeni Infrastructure:_ In Howick and Hilton, residents are being encouraged to comment on whether the 9.01% electricity hike is being adequately reinvested into the grid, given recent legal disputes between uMngeni and Msunduzi over power supply. 🔌 **Do we have the wrong information?** [ send us the correct info](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-22-23/umgungundlovu-2/%20municipalinfo@dearsouthafrica.co.za?subject=correct%20info%20for%20uMgungundlovu%20increases) ### In the News [ send us a link to a local news article](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-22-23/umgungundlovu-2/%20municipalinfo@dearsouthafrica.co.za?subject=info%20for%20uMgungundlovu%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/)