Tshwane's R4bn revenue amid legal woes

WHILE the City of Tshwane celebrated a historic financial achievement for collecting over R4 billion in revenue for October, the DA warned that this milestone might be short-lived, pending the outcome of the cleansing levy court case.

- RAPULA MOATSHE

DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink cautioned that an adverse ruling on the cleansing levy could cost the city dearly, forcing it to refund affected consumers.

The levy, which applies to property owners using private waste collection services, was declared invalid by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, on August 1, following a legal challenge by AfriForum.

The city has lodged an appeal with the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Brink said the record levels of revenue collected by the city are in large part based on rampant double billing for waste collection and city cleansing.

He said the city proceeded to do credit control on disputed waste collection and city cleansing bills in October, despite widespread confusion and disorganisation about these charges.