Kaunda shuns meeting with ratepayers associations
Ratepayers associations say they are disappointed that eThekwini's mayor did not attend a meeting to discuss the city's proposed tariff hikes.
Mxolisi Kaunda last month suggested a 14% price hike for electricity, 14.9% for water and around 10% for refuse collection.
The Integrated Development Plan and Budget Public Participation meeting was held at the Durban Exhibition Centre on Monday.
Kaunda was expected to engage with ratepayers but city speaker Thabani Nyawose attended instead.
Imran Bennett, who's with the eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association, says they want to speak with the mayor directly.
READ: R130bn needed to upgrade eThekwini infrastructure, says Kaunda
"This meeting should be deferred until he is available. Everything must be put on hold and we are all going to say the same thing, there is be no budget increase. We are saying no."
Jay Govender is from the Tongaat Ratepayers and Residents Association.
"We have burning issues with services and the escalating cost is totally untenable and the billing system is a total sham."
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