CTCRA throws weight behind court bid to have CoCT municipal tariffs set aside

CAPE TOWN - The Cape Town Collective Ratepayers' Association (CTCRA) is throwing its weight behind a court bid to have the City of Cape Town's new municipal tariffs reviewed and set aside.

CTCRA has lauded the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) for making an urgent high court application challenging the city’s fixed charges for water and sanitation, and its cleaning levy, which were implemented from 1 July.

The ratepayers collective, which consists of 57 ratepayers associations and civic organisations across Cape Town, said that the vast majority of its members were against the city's new tariffs.

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In a press statement, the CTCRA said it had been advised that the city's linking of fixed charges for water and sewage to property values was unlawful.

CTCRA chairperson Bas Zuidberg said the city's cleaning charge was also unlawful, as it should not be linked to property values and under a separate service charge.

"What is being challenged is the legality... the lawfulness... of this mechanism of using property values to calculate fixed charges."

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis insists the new tariffs are to fund infrastructure projects in the city.

Hill-Lewis said if the court bid succeeded, all middle and lower value properties would also bear the brunt of increased tariffs.