eThekwini Municipality .
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The eThekwini Municipality has been warned that the tariff increases proposed in the draft budget will make ratepayers disillusioned and angry.
Opposition parties in the eThekwini Municipality are raising concerns about the draft budget tabled this week.
The municipality has tabled a R74.7 billion draft budget for the 2026/27 financial year. It is now out for public consultation, but the DA says the proposed tariff hikes are an “assault on ratepayers”.
The budget, presented to Full Council on Tuesday by Mayor Cyril Xaba, allocates R68.8 billion to operations and R5.9 billion to capital expenditure. It will undergo public participation before its expected adoption in May with tariff hikes expected from July 1.
According to the municipality, the draft budget is “grounded in financial sustainability, realistic revenue projections, and a focus on strengthening service delivery and infrastructure”.
It retains the continued provision of free basic services such as water, electricity, and refuse removal for qualifying households, as well as sanitation support in informal and rural areas.
The City said it is also advancing reforms in trading services, backed by a R1.1 billion allocation aimed at improving “efficiency, revenue collection, and infrastructure reliability”.
Key infrastructure investments include:
DA councillor Andre Beetge stated that the DA in eThekwini categorically rejects the proposed municipal budget, which places an unjust and unsustainable burden on already struggling ratepayers while failing to prioritise meaningful service delivery.
“The DA therefore rejects this budget and calls for its urgent review, with a renewed focus on transparency, accountability, and prioritising the real needs of the people of eThekwini. We further strongly encourage all residents to actively take part in the public participation processes and to make their voices heard in rejecting this budget,” he said.
Councillor Sunitha Maharaj of the Minority Front stated that the MF does not support the draft budget.
“Taking the draft budget to the people with the proposed tariff increases is only going to make the people more disillusioned and angry.”
IFP councillor Jonaptha Annipen said the budget must consider the economic climate in the country.
“Across eThekwini, many residents are struggling to meet their financial obligations to the Municipality—not out of unwillingness, but due to genuine financial hardship. The prevailing conditions of high unemployment, escalating crime, deep inequality, and widespread poverty cannot be ignored. These realities must fundamentally inform how the City plans, allocates resources, and prioritises service delivery in the coming financial year.
“In this context, the IFP cannot, in good conscience, support tariff increases at a time when food prices and basic living costs have become increasingly unaffordable for many households. The IFP emphasises the importance of meaningful public participation in this process. We will carefully consider the inputs and concerns raised by residents before making a final determination on the budget,” he said.
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