The Democratic Alliance in eThekwini municipality challenges Mayor Cyril Xaba's proposed tariff reductions for the 2026/27 financial year. In Picture: DA caucus leader Thabani Mthethwa.
Image: Sipho Jack
The Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus in the eThekwini municipality has stood firm against the proposed reduced tariffs for the 2026/27 financial year, which has raised considerable debate over the management of essential services in the region.
The proposed reductions, which Mayor Cyril Xaba commended as a triumph, have been met with firm opposition from the party, which reflected ongoing tensions in the local governance landscape.
Mayor Xaba previously engaged with the Ministers of Water and Sanitation and Electricity, urging them to reconsider substantial tariff increases that would ultimately burdened residents.
His initiative received accolades from the eThekwini Executive Committee, who praised his efforts in mitigating the financial challenges faced by the city's residents and businesses.
The revised tariffs include: Property Rates: reduced from 5% to 2%* Water Tariffs: reduced from 15% to 12% for households, and from 16% to 13% for businesses* Electricity Tariffs: reduced from 10.5% to 9%
However, DA caucus leader Thabani Mthethwa remained unyielding towards Xaba's proposed reductions during a media briefing. He said that the party was dissatisfied with the proposed reductions. “We do not support this.
“Historically, the municipality has proposed exceedingly high increases only to return with minor decreases, as if they were genuinely addressing residents’ concerns, while in reality, they had intentionally set the figures at high levels.”
Mthethwa demanded an honest correlation between tariff increases and service delivery, he said: “Measure your increase against the services you provide. As long as residents are not receiving adequate services, there should be no increase.
"The previous financial year’s tariff should remain in place.”
The DA has been relentless in opposing the current budget, which was first introduced in the council on March 31, 2026.
Since then, the party has spearheaded a public campaign against the proposed tariff adjustments, leveraging online petitions and mobilising residents to participate in public consultations held in more accessible venues.
In criticising the coalition-led government, Mthethwa noted that the inconvenience of holding vital community meetings far from affected residents.
“Such actions suggest a deliberate effort to exclude the community from meaningful engagement, and reducing public consultation to a mere formality,” he asserted.
He accused the ANC of attempting to pacify constituents with last-minute changes that do little to rectify the ongoing crises affecting essential services.
In a city grappling with frequent electricity outages, chronic water shortages, and dilapidated infrastructure, Mthethwa's remarks resonated with many residents who feel let down.
“In neighbourhoods like Phoenix, Chatsworth, and Athlone Park, water availability has been unreliable for years, leading to mounting frustration,” said Mthethwa in reflecting on the recent periods of water scarcity faced in places like Athlone Park, and exacerbated by poor communication from municipal officials.
The Glenwood Bulwer Ratepayers and Residents Association, through its involvement with the eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association, said it welcomed the revised tariff increases announced by the City.
eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association, General Secretary Keyuren Maharaj said they attended the recent business and ratepayer tariff consultation, and found it encouraging to see that the concerns raised by residents, businesses and civic organisations were taken seriously.
“The reduction in the proposed property rates increase from 5% to 2% is particularly welcome, especially at a time when many property owners have already been affected by increased municipal valuations.
"It would have been very difficult for residents to absorb both higher valuations and a steep rates increase at the same time.
"On electricity, we would naturally have liked to see the increase reduced further, but we also recognise the constraints the City faces with national electricity pricing and NERSA-related approvals. Any reduction, however, is still a positive step for households and businesses under pressure,” Maharaj said.
About water, the association remained concerned that the tariffs were still high, particularly given eThekwini’s position as a major customer of uMngeni-uThukela Water.
"We believe the long-term answer cannot only be tariff increases.
“The city must aggressively reduce water losses, repair leaks faster, and improve infrastructure maintenance. Every litre lost through leaks is ultimately paid for by residents.
"As ratepayer associations, we will continue playing our part by helping bring practical, ground-level data to the table, including where leaks and infrastructure failures are occurring.
"Better data should lead to better decisions, faster repairs, and less waste.”
Overall, he said the revised tariff package was a meaningful step in the right direction.
“We commend the mayor and the city for listening to public input, but we also urge the municipality to keep focusing on efficiency, accountability and infrastructure maintenance so that residents are not simply asked to pay more for the same unresolved problems,” Maharaj said.
DAILY NEWS