BCM TARIFFS SHOOT UP

ANC approves new budget to howls from rival parties.

BUFFALO City’s electricity and water rates are set to shoot up in July.

Water tariffs are the worst hit by the city council’s R5.7-billion new budget – almost triple the consumer price index of 5.9%, the hike is 14.95%. The electricity increase is 8.5%, refuse 12.5%, sewerage 10.5% and the fire levy 9.5%.

“His reasoning reminds me of Marie-Antoinette who, when she was told her peasant subjects had no bread, said ‘Let them eat cake’.”

Ratepayers associations and civic organisations like Sanco and the Border-Kei Chamber of Business are disputing the authenticity of the public process BCM claimed it underwent in consulting the people before it finalised and adopted its IDP programme and budget.

But Badenhorst disputed this too, telling councillors that all stakeholders had been consulted and that ratepayers “thrive on controversy”.

“I am not sure what kind of consultation these people expect,” he said.

The meeting was so heated that Weyer called Badenhorst to order for showing total disregard for the public participation.

He warned Badenhorst that to accuse ratepayers’ organisations of “smoking something” bordered on libel.

“This is slanderous and offensive and is not how a person in his position should behave,” said Weyer.

But ANC councillors ignored the calls, and after ANC councillor Monde Dondashe and Sindiswa Gomba proposed and seconded the acceptance of the motion, the ANC used its majority to impose the new rates.

Speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele put the item to rest.