# uThukela

- Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-22-23/uthukela-2/
- Published: 2023-04-09T20:56:13+02:00
- Author: dearSA

![](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/02144255/DearSouthAfrica-
Municipal-budgets-and-tariff-increases-1.jpg "DearSouthAfrica Municipal budgets 
and tariff increases")

![DEAR-SOUTH-AfFRICA](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/
02/08135845/DEAR-SOUTH-AfFRICA.png "DEAR-SOUTH-AfFRICA")

### uThukela District municipality (Alfred Duma, Inkosi Langalibalele, Okhahlamba) calls for public comment on proposed tariff increases, the draft budget and IDP

    - Proposed increases are available in the summary below

Scroll down to have your say

[click to view info, statements and documents ](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-22-23/summary/#1649774481561-2dd31287-fbc1)

[click to view comments from other participants ](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-22-23/comments)

## Have your say – shape the outcome.

**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 uThukela District 🏔️ in KwaZulu-Natal is presenting a particularly challenging
budget for the 2026/2027 financial year. As of April 18, 2026, the biggest “shock”
comes from the District Municipality itself, which serves as the Water Services 
Authority (WSA) for the entire region.

Because the district is currently operating with an unfunded budget, they are proposing
aggressive tariff hikes to achieve “cost-reflectivity.” Let’s break down these figures
together.

### THE INCREASES ARE AS FOLLOWS

**Staff salaries **4.75%

### uThukela District Municipality (Water & Sanitation)

Since the District Municipality (DC23) manages water for everyone in the region,
these figures apply to residents in Alfred Duma, Inkosi Langalibalele, and Okhahlamba.

  |   |  **Proposed Increase (%)** |  **Context / Reason** |  
   |  **Water Provision** |  **20.0%** 🚩 |  Proposed to address a non-cost-reflective tariff and an unfunded budget. |  
 |  **Sanitation** |  **20.0%** 🚩 |  Mirroring the water hike to fund aging wastewater infrastructure. |  
 |  **Bulk Water Purchase** |  **13.0%** 💧 |  The increase the District pays to **uMgeni-uThukela Water**. |

### Local Municipality Draft Increases (Electricity, Rates & Refuse)

While the District handles the water, your local council determines the costs for
your electricity, property rates, and trash collection.

  |   |  **Electricity (Domestic) ⚡** |  **Property Rates 🏠** |  **Refuse Removal 🗑️** |  
   |  **Alfred Duma (Ladysmith)** |  **9.01%** |  **4.6%** |  **4.6%** |  
 |  **Inkosi Langalibalele (Estcourt)** |  **9.01%** |  **4.5%** |  **4.5%** |  
 |  **Okhahlamba (Bergville)** |  **9.01%** |  **4.5%** |  **4.5%** |  
 |  **Staff Salary Benchmark** |  **4.75%** |  **4.75%** |  **4.75%** |

    - _The 20% Water Wall:_ The proposed 20% water hike is more than four times 
      the 4.75% staff salary increase given to the municipal officials. 👔
    - _The Unfunded Mandate:_ The District explicitly states in their draft budget
      that they are hiking tariffs by 20% because their previous budget was unfunded.
      This effectively means current residents are being asked to “bail out” the
      municipality’s historical financial mismanagement. 💸
    - _NERSA Alignment:_ Most locals are sticking to the 9.01% electricity benchmark
      approved by NERSA for municipal distributors. While high, it is the “standard”
      increase for 2026 across much of the country. 🔌
    - _The “Wait-and-See” on Exemptions:_ Interestingly, the uThukela District budget
      notes that they have factored in the 4.75% staff raise but may apply for an
      exemption due to their financial distress. If they don’t pay their staff more,
      the 20% service hike becomes even harder to justify to the public. ⚖️

**Have we got the wrong information?**

[ send us the correct info](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/budget-22-23/uthukela-2/%20municipalinfo@dearsouthafrica.co.za?subject=correct%20info%20for%20Uthukela%20District%20increases)

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