GOOD Press statement by Sarah Mabotsa,
GOOD City of Tshwane Councillor
3 November 2022
Justice has been served for thousands of Tshwane ratepayers.
This week, the Pretoria High Court ruled that several billing practices instituted by the City since 2011 have been unlawful all along. Over a decade ago, several residential properties were reclassified as vacant land and billed accordingly – unbeknownst to the struggling families living there.
Some ratepayers saw their bills surge by 700%.
The DA government – then in the opposition benches – supported a legal case against the city government to rectify this matter. When the DA came to power in 2016, they changed their tune and tried to appeal the case.
It’s not difficult to see why: the City of Tshwane was and is in the midst of a financial maelstrom. Political point scoring is easy, but being in government is a whole other beast on its own.
Successive ANC and DA led governments have racked up billions in irregular expenditure, all while water and electricity rates have skyrocketed for working class people. The DA saw the writing on the wall for 8 years and did nothing – and now the chickens have come home to roost.
In the last five years, the city has lost R8.6 billion to irregular expenditure. With no preventative measures in place, this number is sure to balloon in coming years.
Having a lackadaisical attitude towards finances has put Mayor Randall Williams’ administration in a difficult position – these families must be paid; urgently.
The courts have given them some form of justice, but now local. The City of Tshwane, specifically the MMC for Finance, must put together a plan of action to compensate thousands of families affected by policy which the DA failed to change when it gained power in 2016.
Recognising the plight of many ratepayers in the midst of a cost of living crisis is a step in the right direction.
Media Enquiries:
Sarah Mabotsa, GOOD City of Tshwane Councillor
Cell: 064 684 8640
Email: smabotsamuthivhi@gmail.com
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za