City’s response ‘arrogant’

Sandra Dickson of Stop City of Cape Town (COCT) said the response from the City of Cape Town about recent rates hikes was “disappointing”.

She said the Metro’s response was “to be expected from an administration marked by arrogance and being unresponsive.

“The cheap shot taken at some of the signatories to the memorandum is noted and reeks of political poison, far beyond the scope of intent of the protest, which was intended to engage the City’s administration.”

Dickson and various other role-players handed a memorandum of demands over to the City last month in opposition to the electricity tariff increase.

She said it is clear the City had no intention to engage in any rational and non-arrogant manner with the public. “The City displays its attitude in its media release clearly and leaves any effort to engage the public via its constitutional right to participative governance, as a non-starter.”

In its response the City maintains its stance on the 17,6% electricity tariff increase. According to Dickson the 37,6c “unregulated addition to our tariffs, shamelessly justifying its excessive bank balance and continues to justify the link to property values for tariff setting.” She claims the City’s response is insufficient. “It is really disappointing the City chose to respond via a media statement and not engage in person. The City, as per usual, avoids proper engagement on the public’s issues, allowing them to continue to fester and remain unresolved.”