The City of Cape Town is gearing up for a legal battle over its newly implemented municipal tariffs, as the South African Property Owners Association SAPOA and a coalition of ratepayer groups challenge their legality in court.
The dispute centers on three key charges: a city-wide cleaning levy , a fixed sanitation charge, and an adjusted water charge, all tied to property values.
As reported by SmileFM , SAPOA filed papers in the Western Cape High Court in mid-July, seeking to have the tariffs reviewed and scrapped. The organization argues that the charges violate municipal finance laws and could set a dangerous precedent if left unchallenged.
Meanwhile, the Cape Town Collective Ratepayers' Association CTCRA, representing 57 local groups, has thrown its weight behind the lawsuit, calling the fees unlawful and unfair .
What's at stake?The 2025/26 budget , approved on 26 June, introduced the controversial tariffs despite months of public objections. While the city delayed implementation for commercial properties until July 2026, residential and vacant properties are already affected. SAPOA insists the charges are not service fees but disguised taxes, arguing they should be funded through general property rates, not additional levies.