{"id":297676,"date":"2026-04-30T11:17:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T09:17:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/?p=297676"},"modified":"2026-04-30T11:19:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T09:19:20","slug":"da-rejects-matjhabeng-tariff-increases-far-exceeding-national-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vistanews\/da-rejects-matjhabeng-tariff-increases-far-exceeding-national-guidelines\/","title":{"rendered":"DA rejects Matjhabeng tariff increases far exceeding national guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The DA has rejected proposed tariff increases for the 2026-’27 budget in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, which exceed national guidelines by significant margins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ANC-led municipality has proposed electricity tariff increases of 23% against the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) guideline of 9.01%, and water tariff increases of 25% against the Vaal Central Water (VCW) increase of 9.5%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Property rates, refuse removal and sewerage tariffs would each increase by 7%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The increases are set against a consumer price index of 3.4%, municipal unemployment of 36.7% affecting more than 150 000 adults, and negative economic growth of -1.45% in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The municipality’s poverty rate exceeds 60%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DA
DA rejects Matjhabeng tariff increases far exceeding national guidelines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Proposed<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The DA mayoral candidate for Matjhabeng, Cllr Piet Botha, said the proposed increases would place additional financial pressure on households and businesses already experiencing economic difficulty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Residents cannot be expected to subsidise inefficiency, neglect and administrative failure,” Botha said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DA has raised concerns about the methodology used to justify the electricity increase, noting that the Cost of Supply Study was conducted in 10 of the municipality’s 36 wards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The municipality is experiencing water losses of approximately 56% through leaks and infrastructure deterioration, translating to an estimated R360 million annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DA argues that residents should not bear the cost of these losses through increased tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During council deliberations, the Matjhabeng Business Forum warned of potential widespread resistance to the increases, including non-payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DA has written to Nersa, requesting a rejection of the 23% electricity increase on grounds that it lacks justification and has procedural shortcomings. Residents have until 20 May to submit their written objections to vuyo.adonis@matjhabeng.co.za<\/a> or Thabo.panyani@matjhabeng.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DA stated it supports inflation-linked tariff adjustments rather than the proposed increases.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The DA has rejected the Matjhabeng Municipality’s proposed tariff increases for 2026-’27, which significantly exceed national guidelines. The ANC’s suggested 23% electricity and 25% water hikes come amidst high unemployment and poverty in the area. 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