Kaunda slams tariff hikes claims
eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has slammed opposition political parties for spreading what he says are, "inconclusive claims," about the City's proposed tariff hikes.
He says he understands the water tariff increase will hurt residents' pockets, but emphasizes it's a necessary move.
Kaunda was speaking at a municipal council sitting at Durban City Hall.
"eThekwini can't be compared with other municipalities because the tariff that we are raising 14.9 percent for water is also taking care of the new dam that must be constructed in this city, which will cost R24 billion.
"|So we are starting to put money to that we can service that debt as a city and service our people better."
READ: Proposed eThekwini tariff hikes ‘painfully unaffordable’
He's disputed claims that the City is making unreasonable adjustments to the electricity price - by proposing a 21.91% tariff increase.
"Eskom was given a right to increase their tariffs by 18.4 percent. The city operates it's own entity to deliver electricity service to our people in an effective and efficent manner.
"So for us to sustain the delivery of services we said at least let's have a mark-up of 2 percent out of the 18.4 percent so that we can be able to run services."
The proposed tariff increases will take effect in July.
