Sara-Jayne Makwala King12 June 2025 | 15:42

Want to object to CoCT rate increases? Read on (but you'll need to move fast!)

Residents and civil groups are pushing back against Cape Town’s draft budget, citing steep hikes for high-value property owners.

Want to object to CoCT rate increases? Read on (but you'll need to move fast!)

City centre of Cape Town, Table Mountain. Wikimedia Commons/Discott

The date for City of Cape Town residents to have their say on the City's draft budget for 2025/2026 has passed, but the R84.1 billion budget continues to be the subject of considerable debate.

Given the moniker the 'Invested in Hope' budget, the City claims it offers the lowest monthly municipal bill of South Africa’s ‘big five’ metros. 

But a number of Mother City residents have already expressed concern at the structural changes being proposed.

They say they're facing massive increases, particularly those residents living in high-value properties.

Civil activist group SA First is calling for Ratepayer’s Associations to unite in their fight against the budget.

RELATED: Is the City of Cape Town's controversial draft budget illegal?

"These are above inflation related increases."
- Advocate Rod Solomons, Convenor - SA First Forum
"It's spin by the City, these are fig leaf concessions that the mayor has made again."
- Advocate Rod Solomons, Convenor - SA First Forum

Solomons says SA First has identified and shared to social media, a dozen or so grounds on which residents can object.

"People can choose which of those grounds resonate with them and then they must submit their objections."
- Advocate Rod Solomons, Convenor - SA First Forum

But those who do wish to object need to act fast.

The deadline for submitting objections is tomorrow (Friday 13 June) at 4pm.

"We are of the view that the City of Cape Town and many other municipalities are becoming a law unto themselves."
- Advocate Rod Solomons, Convenor - SA First Forum

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.