DA Petitions Ilembe

4. We further call on Council to consider:

* 60 years - 25% rebate on sewer charges

* 65 years 30 % rebate on sewer charges

* 70 years and over should enjoy 30 % rebate on sewer charges.

5. The DA calls on Council to review the indigent policy to be updated every two years instead of annually. It makes sense and eliminates unnecessary administrative costs and delays in processing the indigent application before one qualifies for the standard benefits.

6. That the indigent household should always enjoy 10 kl of free water every month even if they have been disconnected which is not the case currently. Policy review is required to give effect to basic human rights. Furthermore the threshold to qualify should be upped to R 4500.00 per month

Letters to the Editor

With regards to the article: “KDM apologizes for prolonged power outage” (Xpress Times: 3 May 2023, Page 12), it is a slap in the face to people from many other affected areas.

With reference to Whatsapp groups, “Service Outages” and “Outages Ukusiza”, and posts of residents from areas like Glenhills, St. Luke's Home of Healing, Dawnside (5 days without power), Blythedale, and many more; highlighting that this was going more than two days without power, on more than one occasion, is a slap to the citizens' faces en masse.

combined income.

8. Repairs and maintenance of existing infrastructure, inadequate allocation dropped from R126 million last year to R 91 million in the 2023/2024 draft budget. This will pose challenges on regular water leaks, pumps burnt out, telemetry system at reservoir to monitor levels not working for years in some cases leading to water losses over 100 million as recorded in the last financial year.

9. Employee related cost is R 312 million whereas main internal revenue through water and sanitation is R 373 million. Of this, according to revenue collection trends, only about half of that can be realised. It's crystal clear the municipality is not sustainable and survives on grant funding from province and National Treasury. Only critical posts should be filled. The projection for new additional connections on Revenue of R85 million is overstated and not realistic. Can it be explained what is the current collection rate on the new water schemes?

10. Inability to collect monies for services provided is scary as a staggering R584 million is owed to Council. More aggressive collection campaign needs to be put in place without fear or favour. Selective write offs must be discouraged and should be fair to all deserving consumers.

The DA submitted a petition of almost 2000 signatures to iLembe to consider reducing the tariff increase on water and sanitation in the 2023/2024 draft budget.