eThekwini Municipality proposes 9.9% increase in domestic refuse collection tariffs
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Chair of the Trading Services Committee councillor Mdu Nkosi said the release of these proposed tariff increases is the first step towards consolidating the budget for the next financial year. File Picture: Independent Newspapers Archives
Durban residents could see a 9.9% increase in their tariffs for domestic refuse collection in the next financial year.
The Trading Services committee in the eThekwini Municipality held its meeting on Wednesday and proposed a tariff increase of 9.9% for domestic refuse collection and 9% for business waste collection.
The proposed tariff increases for electricity, water and sanitation are yet to be determined.
Chair of the committee, Mdu Nkosi, stated that the release of these proposed tariff increases is the first step towards consolidating the budget for the next financial year.
“Each committee releases its tariffs, and the public expresses its views on those tariffs; they could still be changed depending on the opinions that have been expressed by the public through the public consultation process,” Nkosi said.
In a statement, the City noted that the proposed tariff increase of 9.9% for domestic refuse collection and 9% for business waste collection was approved for implementation at the beginning of the 2025/2026 financial year.
The City said the increase aims to create a viable financial climate for the Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit. It was noted that the last tariff increases for domestic and business waste collection was in 2020.
The tariff review takes into consideration:
- the proposed budget cost increase that can be expected in the next financial year
- the current prices in the marketplace
- the Unit’s pricing strategy of ensuring that the services are affordable and cost-justified.
In the City’s statement, Zandile Masondo from the Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit emphasised the importance of understanding the costs associated with providing the service.
She also identified the revenue sources available to ensure the financial sustainability of the service being provided.
"The service we provide is central to residents and visitors enjoying a clean city. There are many factors that have been considered to ensure that the service is affordable for all customers,” said Masondo.
She added that the cost of running a waste service in eThekwini continues to escalate, pointing out that the proposed increase does not cover all the costs related to the provision of an effective solid waste management service.