Dear Councillor Maifala,
I wrote the mail appended below in July of last year. I have received no reply from you or the municipality concerning the effect of the increase of municipal rates on pensioners.
I have just received my municipal account for July. I am somewhat concerned (alarmed is more to the point) about the amount my property rates have increased. This amount is 28 per cent which is a large increase by any standard.
I understand that objections to the property value are closed.
Section 49 notice does not state the previous value or on what basis the new value was determined or the amount that would have to be paid. I was not aware of the financial implications this increased property value would have on the amount to be paid.
I am aware that property values increase in the marketplace but to what extent over the last rate period I do not know.
I am a pensioner on a fixed income. My pension has not increased since 1997. My house has not been improved.
My question is, is it not possible to increase the pensioner’s rebate to reduce the amount of rates paid?
This request now also needs to include caps on increases for other municipal services for pensioners.
Perhaps the percentage increase was considered fair and fitting for whatever reason by the council. The 28 per cent increase imposed last July in monetary terms meant an increase of R75.11 just for rates. This was in addition to the other tariff increases.
The current proposed increase of 6.9 per cent will mean an additional R23.82 just for rates. The proposed astronomical increase of 12.96 per cent for water and the above-inflation increase of 7.32 per cent for electricity will place an enormous financial burden on pensioners.
I repeat my request that Council considers the dire straits pensioners may find themselves in when these increases become effective and take measures to assist the elderly. These increases coupled with the VAT increase and the continuing petrol price increases are reducing the ability of the elderly to meet their financial obligations.
Is it the councils objective to make the elderly live in the dark while starving to death? Personally, I believe I have paid my way by never having missed a municipal payment over a period of 46 years while others who have not paid have benefited by the Council’s largesse by having their debts written off.
Again I request that Council is requested to consider the effect excessive increases in municipal tariffs are having on the elderly.
Kind regards
RA Lautenbach
The RECORD spoke to councillor Malcolm Maifala about Mr Luatenbachs concerns. Councillor Maifala said the following about the concerns.
“The case Mr Lautenbach presents is an individual one. Elderly individuals are entitled to a certain amount of rebates in terms of the indigency policy of the City of Ekurhuleni. I have referred Mr Lautenbach to the relevant authorities so that the correct rebates can be implemented for him. I want to reiterate that the position of councillors are to work on the legislature side of governance and not directly with concerns regarding finances. Further, the resident must understand the separation between council governance and individual political parties.”
The RECORD has request councillor Maifala to give us information about rebates worked but never received any information.
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