Johannesburg Announces Rate Increases for 2021/22, Residents React: "Looters at the Helm"
- The Johannesburg Municipality has announced its rate increases for the 2021/22 financial year
- No one who stays in Johannesburg is happy with the city's decision to increase the rates while their salaries remain the same
- The surprise increases were revealed by the city's MMC for Finance, Councillor Jolidee Matongo, who delivered the city's budget speech on Tuesday
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!
The City of Johannesburg municipality on Tuesday announced an increase in rates for the 2021/22 financial year. Angry residents of the city have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the city's surprise decision.
The increases were revealed by the city's MMC for Finance Councillor Jolidee Matongo, who delivered the city's Budget on Tuesday morning, 25 May.
Source: Twitter
Matongo said electricity rates are now up by 14.59%, followed by sanitation and water tariffs by 6.8%. Refusal removal rates are up by 4.3% while property rates increased by 2%, reports EWN.
Matongo also raised issues around the metro's revenue collection, mentioning that large power users are moving away from the grid, meaning City Power was at risk. The city said these were the lowest possible increases, according to the publication.
Social media users have shared their thoughts on Matongo's budget speech. A lot of them are not happy at all. They questioned why the rates are going up while their salaries remain the same.
@PsylentRage commented:
"Guess the TAX payers are paying for the strikes and protest damages, ONCE again... THEY may ACTUALLY cost more than the corruption, as burning a bus protesting a lack of transport, ALSO affect those around you, RIGHT at THAT MOMENT. BUT, NO, I HAVE TO PROVE MY POINT."
@iAmKameel said:
"Where's the Palestine passion we've been seeing all over the streets here for our own causes?"
@_Tlale_ wrote:
"The @CityofJoburgZA @JHBWate sanitation amounts for complex dwellers is crazy. They collect 150K/pm from our complex for sanitation. Water is 40K on top of that 150K. This bankrupted the BC, it was tough for most people. Tshwane calculates it based on usage not a flat rate/unit."
@thabisorza commented:
"Very tough when the majority of the citizens got 0% increases due to Covid."
@Kivashan_ said:
"Everything is increasing in South Africa, even the unemployment rate."
@Koefie55 wrote:
"It’s becoming too expensive to live in the @CityofJoburgZA while ANC looters are at the helm."
@AkiRawr added:
"Everything increases except our salaries."
PAY ATTENTION: Never miss breaking news – join Briefly News' Telegram channel!
In other news, Briefly News reported that Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) also announced a 5.9% increase across all its options from 1 July this year. DHMS is also allowing its members a once-off chance to upgrade their plans mid-year. The deadline for upgrade applications is 15 June.
In a statement, CEO of Discovery Health, Dr Ryan Noach, said the 5.9% increase is an important decision to align member contributions to real healthcare costs.
Fin24 reports that Noach further said the price hike places DHMS in an ideal position to offer an affordable contribution increase for the upcoming benefit year in 2022 and beyond.
Social media users have shared mixed reactions to the price increase. The majority of them are not very pleased by Discovery's decision. @samadhassen said:
"They have discovered that they can take money from us as and when they wish. They will pay whatever they wish from your claims. The scheme has been complicated with hundreds of rules. The NHI won't make it any easier either. We're in trouble."
@stswadi wrote:
"Medical aid is going up but salary still the same, we are dead, I mean real dead."
Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!
Source: Briefly News
