Frustrated residents voice concerns over proposed budget and water crisis

FRUSTRATED residents in Chatsworth protested against the proposed tariff increases during mayor Cyril Xaba’s budget consultation, highlighting the ongoing water issues and the need for better service delivery.

- YOSHINI PERUMAL

Xaba’s budget consultation last week at the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre was met with a protest against the tariff increases by frustrated residents.

They staged a peaceful protest against the proposed budget and Integrated Development Plan (IDP), and threatened to boycott their utility payments if the issues affecting them more especially the water crisis were not resolved.

The draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year stands at R71.3 billion, comprising a capital budget of R7.1 billion and an operating budget of R64.2 billion.