Polokwane Municipality announced the new tariffs that will be applicable as from 1 July 2012. The announcement was made yesterday (on 31 May 2012) during the Council meeting to adopt the 2012 1nd 13 IDP and budget. Council has taken into consideration inputs from all the consultation and has adopted the rates increase as follows:
- Assessment rates 6%
- Electricity 11.03%
- Water18%
- Waste water management 6.50%
- Waste Management 10%
- All other tariffs will increase by 6%
The Executive Mayor of Polokwane Municipality has assured all the communities that the rates would contribute to the sustainable provision of services. He said Council had to consider the economic, social, and financial factors in determining the increases. He urged community members to approach the municipality for any clarification on their bills and increases on the rates.
With regard to electricity tariffs, the Executive Mayor indicated that the rates increase was influenced by NERSA’s decision that Eskom must increase by 13%. “It should be noted that the municipality is not passing all the 13% increase to residents as we are cushioning over 1% of the electricity cost,” said Greaver adding that the municipality will still sell electricity at a loss.
He said the water tariff increase was necessitated by a benchmarking research on what Polokwane was charging in comparison to municipalities of its size and municipalities smaller than Polokwane. The process identified that Polokwane was charging far less in comparison given its size and the quality of service it provides.
“The comparison suggested that we must increase water tariff by over 35% and as Council we had to consider the plight of our people as well,” said the Executive Mayor. Northern Lepelle Water which the municipality buys water from has also increased its tariff to the municipality.
Issued by Communications and Public participation Unit
Contact: Ms. Noko Lebea
Tel: 015 290 2111 Cell: 082 449 2502
