Residents complain about rates’ increase
eSikhaleni residents fed up over rates increase.
A RATES’ increase on 1 July has raised the ire of eSikhaleni residents who gathered at uMfolozi FET College on Saturday to ask the South African Civil Organization (SANCO) officials to intervene.
Residents blamed the municipality for ‘not thinking of the poor’. They believed the system used to evaluate their homes is faulty and that they are paying too much.
‘What we are expected to pay is too much. Most of us are unemployed or pensioners and we can’t afford to pay,’ said a woman at the meeting.
Resident,Thulasizwe Dlamini, said he has two sickly old parents and his rates have doubled and he does not have the money to pay.
Furious residents also voiced their concerns over the newly installed water meters. Those who lives in the rural part of the township said they didn’t have money to pay for these meters.
‘How are we suppose to pay if we don’t have jobs,’ asked Thobile Shembe from Ward 14.
One of the major issues raised during the meeting, is that residents’ water and electricity supply are being cut without warning.
‘People who live in town get notices before they cut their power or water supply. Because we live in a township, they just cut it whenever they like,’ said Nhlanhla Mdletshe.
The increasing crime wave in the region, drug abuse and unemployment were also highlighted during the meeting.
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