Media statement - Deputy mayor announces zero increase on rates





SHAKAVILLE: KwaDukuza Municipality provides a total of 6,348 households with free electricity, 12,853 households receive free refuse removal, and now there’s a zero increase rates proposal for the 2025-2026 financial year. This was announced by the deputy mayor of KwaDukuza, Sicelinjabulo Cele at the 2025-2026 Integrated Development Plan and Budget Imbizo held at the Mbozamo Community Hall this morning, 15 April 2025.

In addition to this, there’s a proposed decrease in rates rebates at an average of 25% to 18%, a 7.3% increase on refuse revenue and an average increase of 10.7% on electricity.

The economy is experiencing sluggish growth, coupled with the general rising costs of living, increased unemployment rates, rising energy prices, and the impact of natural calamities which significantly impede customer ability to repay debts and undermines councils’ ability to deliver adequate services.

Deputy mayor was optimistic and prudent about the proposed budget, “These are all efforts aimed at easing the burden of the shoulder of ratepaying residence and the poor, given the insatiable needs for municipal services”, said Cele.

The municipality is operating under a tough economic climate with the enduring impact of over 260 million worth of energy losses during the previous financial year and as part of its revenue regeneration strategy, the council is implementing a range of multi-pronged programmes which includes its amnesty solution to electricity losses.

The council has recently extended its illegal electricity voluntary disclosure programme for all those who are in contravention of Section 28 of the municipal electricity bylaws for bypassing, tampering or illegal service connections. The closing date of the amnesty programme was 31 March 2025 but has been extended to 31 April 2025.

The IDP and Budget community engagements form part of drafting of the final budget which must be adopted by council by 31 May 2025 for the new financial year to begin in July. The IDP is a five-year programme, which maps out developmental priorities for the Municipality.

Ends

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