Civic organisations challenge City’s tariff hikes

CIVIC organisation SA1st Forum has become the latest to join in the court battle challenging the City’s new fixed rate charges, saying the extent of these municipal increases will make ordinary citizens find it hard to keep up with maintaining their households.

- NICOLA DANIELS.

The South African Property Owners Association's (Sapoa) was the first to haul the City before the courts over its decision to link specific fixed charges to property values.

Sapoa and other organisations, including SAlst Forum, want the increases to be set aside and for the City to undertake a “lawful, participatory, and transparent review process in order to produce a budget and tariff increases that are more affordable by the people of Cape Town”.

The matter is expected to be heard in the Western Cape High Court next week.