Thousands of ratepayers call on CoCT to relook its proposed rate increases

CAPE TOWN - Thousands of ratepayers are calling on the City of Cape Town to relook its proposed rate increases, which could see homeowners paying up to 40% more for municipal bills.

The proposed tariff structure, which is based on property value, will introduce fixed charges for water, sanitation and include a new citywide cleaning tariff.

A petition to challenge the proposed rate hikes has garnered more than 10,000 signatures from homeowners across the metro.

The Cape Town Collective Ratepayers Association (CTCRA) is calling on the City of Cape Town to offer ratepayers relief from its proposed municipal rate increases.

City officials said while the proposed budget is meant to protect households under R2.5 million, the city has heard the concerns of ratepayers in higher value properties.

Social justice activist Sandra Dickson said the proposed rates charges should not be based on property value.

"Ratepayers will settle for nothing less than a complete relook at the myriad of fixed charges, removing them and removing the link to property value, which is used to extort money from ratepayers."

The city said rebates for homes valued at R7 million and below and lower citywide cleaning charges are among the budget changes the city council will consider on 29 May.