Rising costs of CT's municipal bill

FOLLOWING public criticism over sharp increases in monthly bills, particularly among residents in the R4 million to R7m property range, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced the City is considering new measures to cushion the blow of rising municipal bills in its R39.7 billion 2025/26 draft dudget.

- GERRY CUPIDO

Speaking on Cape Talk, Hill-Lewis said that while the budget prioritises relief for properties under R2.5m, the City is modelling expanded rebates for homeowners with properties valued up to R7m.

"The criticism that I've heard, and which I really wholeheartedly accept, is that not everyone in the R4m - R7m property band is wealthy, or cash-flush," Hill-Lewis said.

"You may have bought your home a long time ago, you've paid it off, now you have a very valuable home, but you don't have the income to match it."

Relief measures under consideration include:

◆ Extending the current R450 000 rates-free benefit beyond the R5m property value cap.

◆ Increasing the income threshold for pensioner rebates (currently set at R22 000/month).

◆ Reducing new City-Wide Cleaning charges for properties between R2.5m and R7.5m.