Although many positive words were spoken this week in the Mayor\u2019s budget speech all this remains rather bleak, with the looming rise in Eskom tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In short, the rates and taxes people pay almost daily are being dealt a bloody blow. Last week the repo rate again increased, the petrol price remains extreme, food prices rise by the week and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All citizens will now be forced to tighten their belts, as a dark economic cloud hovers above our heads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now especially property owners will be paying dearly come 1 July just to keep a roof over their heads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not to mention the already extremely high property rates after the huge increases after the evaluations of two years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We should, however, probably be grateful that the electricity tariffs have not risen to the expected 18%+, but the 15,1% rise will see all resident digging very deep into their pockets for power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In general, these announcements are of great concern to the community which is already paying exorbitant prices just to survive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And more concerning too is the fact that 60% of Drakenstein residents are indigent and thus rely on free municipal services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One cannot help but wonder how much longer the 40% of residents can foot this bill?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Although many positive words were spoken this week in the Mayor\u2019s budget speech all this remains rather bleak, with the looming rise in Eskom 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