Ct's Draft Budget Could Hit Your Wallet Hard: Here's How To Object Before The Deadline

Cape Town residents are being urged to voice their objections to the Citys draft 2025/26 budget, which could see monthly municipal bills rise by as much as 15 to 30, even if consumption stays the same, Cape town Etc reports.

Key proposals include the introduction of a fixed electricity charge of R339.89, regardless of usage, and a shift to water and sewerage charges based on property values rather than actual consumption. A new city-wide cleaning fee is also on the cards, even for areas that do not receive dedicated cleaning services. Additionally, VAT will be applied to these new charges, despite their similarity to property rates, which traditionally do not carry VAT.

Critics argue that the draft budget unfairly targets low-usage households such as pensioners, small families, and those actively conserving resources. 'This budget punishes restraint, loads the pressure onto the most vulnerable, and quietly rewrites how we pay-without real conversation,' one campaign group stated.

Concerns have also been raised about the ethical and legal implications of applying VAT to these charges and the impact on residents already struggling with rising living costs.

Residents have until 2 May 2025 at 4:30pm to submit formal objections. A petition is currently circulating online, but organisers stress that signing the petition alone is not enough-an official objection must also be emailed directly to the City at budget.commentscapetown.gov.za or submitted via the Have Your Say portal.