Johannesburg skyline – Photo: Flickr / little_earthquake83
Johannesburg skyline – Photo: Flickr / little_earthquake83
It’s the start of a new month for South Africans, but they are being faced with the same old story: The cost of living is increasing, even if our wages aren’t. Municipal rates across the country are going up on Monday 1 July, and the changes will affect millions in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and many other city-dwellers.
Cost of living on the rise
Of course, the term “tariff hike” has become synonymous with Eskom. Their plans to start charging residents more came to fruition on Monday as well. But they aren’t the only ones: We’re here to give you a brief overview of where municipal rates are going up, and how much more you’ll have to fork out.
Municipal rates increase in Johannesburg
Increased tariffs have been introduced this week, ranging from water rates to those of refuse removal and property. Even bus companies are feeling the pinch, with Johannesburg operator Rea Vaya cranking the fees up by 7%. Despite a forecast petrol price decline in July, five previous increases in 2019 have taken their toll:
- Water up by 9.9%,
- Property rates up by 5.5%,
- Electricity up by 13.07%,
- Refuse removal up by 7%
- Rea Vaya bus fares up by 7%.
Municipal rates increase in Cape Town:
While also feeling the pinch, the Mother City has a slightly easier time of things. Electricity rates will be up by somewhere between 8.88% – 13.37%, and the cost of getting rid of your rubbish is also on the rise. There is a temporary respite with water fees, but price hikes are still a possibility in the near future.
- Block 1 energy rate up by 13.37%
- Block 2 energy rate increases up by 8.88%
- Refuse collection tariffs up by 5%
- Solid waste tariffs up by 5%
- No basic fixed rate increase for water tariffs in 2019/20, but a future 9% increase has been proposed on consumptive water tariffs.
Municipal rates increase in Durban
The sharpest water rate increases can be found in the eThekwini Municipality, at 14.5%. Of the “big three” cities, their electricity rates are also the highest climbers. The city has been in a bit of chaos this year, following the devastating April floods and the suspension of Mayor Zandile Gumede – turbulence which shows in the new rates:
- Water tariffs up by 14.5%
- Electricity rising by 15.01%
- Sanitation and refuse services up by 9.9%
Other locations
We’ve covered the big three, but the picture seems to be a familiar one in all of South Africa’s metros. Things are getting costlier. Eskom had the brass neck to push for tariff hikes while they were mid-load shedding crisis back in March. Their appeal was successful, and as their website suggests, the average increase stands at 15.63%
“The National energy regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has approved a 13.87% average price increase which will be implemented on 1 April 2019 for Eskom direct customers and a 15.63% average price increase for municipalities which will be implemented on 1 July 2019.”
Eskom statement
Rates of refuse collection are also on the rise in metropolitan areas. Although water tariffs are much more varied, bus fares aren’t subject to a universal increase – that’s purely down to the discretion of the operator.
