comments2

wade

Yes I do

Cost of living

People can hardly afford more taxes and the tax money just gets stolen.the municipality are useless we pay them for nothing

Mary-Ann

Yes I do

Cost of living

Petra

Yes I do

Cost of living

The case for a civil society-led freeze on municipal rates, taxes, and tariffs is built on the urgent need to protect South African households from a "cost-of-living death spiral" caused by failing infrastructure and aggressive municipal over-taxation.

1. The Crisis of Failing Municipalities
Civil society argues that it is unjust to demand higher payments for rapidly deteriorating services.

Fiscal Deficits: 90 South African municipalities (39%) spent more than they generated in 2023-24, resulting in a total local government deficit of R11.29 billion.
Wasted Expenditure: Municipalities have disclosed R81.59 billion in unauthorised expenditure since 2021-22.
Collapse of Basic Services: Residents are increasingly living under the "weight" of sewage spills, water stoppages, and collapsing road networks, yet are expected to fund the very entities failing to manage these crises.
Unfunded Budgets: In the 2023/24 cycle, 113 municipalities adopted unfunded budgets, essentially planning to spend money they did not have.

2. The Burden on Over-Taxed South Africans
Tariff hikes consistently outpace inflation and salary growth, pushing even middle-class households toward financial ruin.

Salary vs. Tariff Gap: Average annual salary growth in South Africa is approximately 5%, while some municipal tariffs have seen increases ranging from 7% up to 17% (and in extreme cases 40%).
Aggressive Electricity Hikes: Eskom’s average standard price of electricity rose from 195.95 c/kWh in 2024/25 to 220.92 c/kWh in April 2025—a trajectory that has seen prices double in just five years.
VAT Pressure: National VAT is scheduled to increase to 15.5% in May 2025 and 16% in April 2026, further eroding disposable income alongside local rate hikes.

Christo

Yes I do

Cost of living

Rates & Taxes in my Unit in a complex in West Beach increased from an average of R 791,69 during 2015 to R1650 today!!!!

Moenieba

Yes I do

Cost of living

Rates & Taxes are expensive as it is, let alone cost of living, how can government work against its people with the constant rise of inflation and everything else.....S.A. needs to work with its people for a better affordable life in South Africa.

Terry

Yes I do

Service delivery

Service delivery is almost non-existent in most areas. What exactly are we paying for ? Sporadic pavement cutting with no clean up afterwards, street lights not working, litter & dumping never picked up, trees & weeds encroaching into roads, faded /worn lines on roads never repainted, etc. Our Municipal rates & taxes are astronomical, & the senior staff members certainly don't deserve any increases.

Lilith

Yes I do

Other

All concerns.

Thomas

Yes I do

Service delivery

Zhaan

Yes I do

Cost of living

In the current economic climate fuel is going up, THUS food will be going up. Meat will surlily increase because of Foot and Mouth, BUT salaries are not going up because of budget constraints due to taxes, levies and fuel. all n downfall circle on the consumer.

Amanda

Yes I do

Cost of living

Soon people will be losing their homes because of all these increases

Andrew

Yes I do

Cost of living

I feel that rates that go up and are calculated on current valuations as per the municipality is killing the ability to afford rates as it far exceeds inflation. They should base it on the value at purchase and work thereon. To increase the rate continuously, based on money that not realised, should be unconstitutional. Why are people penalised if all recieves the exact same service from council, but are being punished sue to a perceived value. Either base rates on purchase price or charge everyone for the service provided. Well off citizens contribute way more in terms of taxed paid on businesses and salaries.

Nkosiyabo

Yes I do

Service delivery

There is no tangible value for our hard earned income.

Andrew

Yes I do

Municipal collapse

East London is known as "SLUMS" for a very good reason ... the entire municipality is filthy ... only one garden refuse & building rubble disposal site (at Berlin) .... mass dumping at all vacant sites and Bush areas.
Many sewage spills into virtually every valley.
Water leaks unattended.
Potholes proliferate.
Massive outdoor advertising billboards blocking views and distracting motorist eyes from traffic issues.
High cable theft, burglaries.
Uncontrolled observation of "Peace & Quiet" in residential suburbs after 22h00 and over weekends (noise pollution).

Lauren

Yes I do

Cost of living

Kenneth

Yes I do

Cost of living

Mary

Yes I do

Service delivery

Mcebisi

Yes I do

Cost of living

Claudette

Yes I do

Cost of living

South Africa has the highest unemployment, crime rate, cost of living, and lowest service delivery in the world. How are we expected to pay the exorbitant taxes, and survive in these hard economic times ?

Peter

Yes I do

Other

Service delivery is not existent, roads full of potholes, lights don't work and zero delivery from the municipality, which equals municipal collapse. Why pay for services which are non existent...

Carl

Yes I do

Service delivery

I support the civil society call for a temporary freeze on municipal rates, taxes and tariffs in Mogalakwena due to the ongoing mismanagement of public funds and the persistent failure of service delivery. Residents and businesses are being asked to absorb escalating costs while receiving declining value, which is neither fair nor sustainable. In a period of economic instability, with households already under severe financial pressure, further increases in municipal charges would place an unreasonable burden on ratepayers who are effectively subsidising inefficiency and poor governance.

Mogalakwena’s track record of financial irregularities, deteriorating infrastructure, and chronic service interruptions demonstrates that the municipality is not meeting its constitutional obligations. Until proper oversight, accountability mechanisms and transparent financial management are restored, residents should not be expected to pay more. A freeze on rates and tariffs is a necessary protective measure to ensure property owners are not penalised for failures outside their control.

This pause will allow time to implement stronger checks and balances, enforce fiscal discipline, and put recovery plans in place before any further financial demands are made on the community. For these reasons, I support the call to halt municipal rate and tariff increases until Mogalakwena demonstrates responsible governance and improved service delivery.