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The DA in Polokwane Local Municipality has raised concerns regarding the proposed tariff increases as submitted to Council in the Draft Budget for 2026/2027.

The proposed tariff increases are as follows:

• Electricity - 9,01%
• Water & Sanitation - 7,43%
• Property Rates & other - 4,70%

Although the electricity and water increases are linked to flow through increases from the bulk suppliers, Eskom and Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) respectively, the DA raised concerns that the increases are proposed without doing any cost analysis. This was confirmed by the Chairperson of the Audit and Performance Audit Committee.

Tariff increases in the midst of periods of dry taps and deteriorating infrastructure, especially road infrastructure, will leave a sour taste in the mouths of residents, this whilst once again strategic planning sessions were held at luxurious golf estates at great expense outside the borders of the City. Tariff increases and the required service delivery outcomes are interlinked.

The DA also raised serious concerns that the current proposed capital budget does not adequately cater for the current roads infrastructure crisis and implored the administration to consider all avenues, including approaching National Treasury and the Infrastructure Fund, to adequately address the crisis.

Sufficient road maintenance has not been done for decades on many roads across the City that have exceeded their lifespan and require total resurfacing. The recent heavy rains are not the problem here, poor planning and spending on infrastructure maintenance by the ANC-led administration are to blame.

Public participation meetings will be held across all clusters of the City and we implore the public to do their part and participate in these democratic processes.

Issued by Cllr. Jacques Joubert - DA Spokesperson on Finance - Polokwane Municipality