Cape Town Collective Ratepayers Association take to streets to protest tariff hike

CapeTalk's Clarence Ford speaks to Naeem Francis.

Listen below: 

Cape Town homeowners are challenging the City of Cape Town's proposed municipal tariff structure, set to take effect on 1 July.

The new structure introduces fixed charges for water, sanitation, and a city-wide cleaning fee, each scaled according to property values.

Francis and rate payers associations, civic associations, NGOs, and residents took to the street outside Cape Town Civic Centre in the rain on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, to push back against the City's proposition. 

A primary concern is the introduction of a new city-wide cleaning tariff linked to property values, which the group argues will disproportionately impact homeowners.

Francis and others are also pushing back against any proposed fixed charges.

The association has called on the City to explore alternative revenue sources to ease the financial burden on residents.

"We are opposed to these budget increases because they affect society across the spectrum... the middle class is being squeezed and the poor are being affected even more... So, who is going to be squeezed out in the end...?"

- Naeem Francis

"With the budget being announced at the end of June, we urge ordinary Capetonians to come and rally at the Cape Town Civic Centre on the day for a peaceful demonstration to push back against what the City is currently doing..."

- Naeem Francis

"... you're hiking electricity rates but you're sitting with a surplus and it runs into billions... if this surplus is already there, where will these increases go?"

- Naeem Francis

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