Tariff hikes hit Jo'burg hardest

Consumers and ratepayers across the country have been left reeling as municipalities have imposed double-digit hikes in rates and electricity tariffs.

The hardest-hit residents are those in major cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Durban and Pretoria.

The shock increases come shortly after the local government elections, as new councils sit to vote on their budgets for the next financial year.

Apart from the rates and taxes hikes, most people will also feel the pinch as other services such as bus and taxi fares are also expected to be increased.

Already, commuters in Bloemfontein have embarked on a bus boycott in protest against the increase of bus fares by a local operator, Interstate bus company.

In Johannesburg, property rates have been increased by 6.7% for all categories of properties, 14% for water and another 6.7% for refuse removal.

But the real shocker in Johannesburg is the 27.7% increase for electricity. This ranges from 5% for prepaid customers to 31% and 28% for business and industrial customers respectively.

Johannesburg residents with a property valued at less than R150000 will pay an annual rate of R60. The Johannesburg increases are still lower compared to last year’s hike of between 15% and 33,5%.

In Durban, the electricity price increase is also above 20%, while customers in Cape Town will see electricity charges increase by 20% and water and sanitation rises by 8.28%.