Ratepayers challenge City budget

CONCERNS are mounting among residents over the City of Cape Town's proposed 2025/26 budget and its impact on property rates.

- ERIN CARELSE

Bas Zuideberg, chairman of the National Property Ratepayers' Association has voiced concerns about the lack of engagement with residential ratepayers, highlighting a petition signed by over 10,000 residents opposing the hikes that was dismissed by the City.

As the deadline for budget approval looms, ratepayers are calling for transparency and fairness in the proposed changes, warning that rising costs could push long-term homeowners out of their properties.

When asked whether public participation had been extended as requested, Zuideberg said the CTCRA had asked the City to extend public participation on the budget by 14 days, but this did not happen.

According to him, the CTCRA has had no direct interaction with the City on the budget aside from discussions with ward councillors and press reports.

While commercial ratepayers’ groups were contacted, residential ratepayers were largely excluded from consultation.