City defends tariff as opposition warns of budget risks

The City of Tshwane finds itself at the centre of a heated legal and political storm over its controversial cleaning levy - a tariff recently declared unlawful by the High Court in Pretoria.

- Marizka Coetzer

While city officials insist the levy remains enforceable pending appeal, opposition parties and civic leaders argue that continued billing defies the court's ruling and risks financial chaos.

As accusations of double-charging and fiscal mismanagement mount, residents are left questioning the transparency, legality and ethics of their local government's actions.

Deputy mayor and MMC for finance Eugene Modise has said that while the city has filed a petition for leave to appeal with the Supreme Court of Appeal, the cleansing levy therefore remains in effect.

"Contrary to misleading claims suggesting that the city is unaware of the extent of double-billing, this is not the case," he said.

"Out of about 804 000 accounts across the city, around 12 000 - representing about 1.5% - were incorrectly billed. We are prioritising the correction of these accounts."