Following backlash over City Power surcharge, SALGA concerned over municipal public participation processes

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has expressed concern over the effectiveness of municipality public participation processes.

This followed backlash over Joburg’s R200 electricity surcharge.

As of 1 July, Joburg City Power is charging prepaid customers a R200 monthly service and network fee.

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However, a majority of parties in the city council have vowed to reverse it following an outcry.

The R200 electricity surcharge was part of the tariff increases approved by the country’s energy regulator, NERSA.

All municipalities in the country have a constitutional duty to hold extensive public participation prior to voting on their budgets and tariffs.

While the Johannesburg Municipality did fulfill this obligation, SALGA’s chief of operations, Lance Joel, said that the reaction from the public showed that the tariffs were not effectively communicated.

"There is always the opportunity to try and expand the awareness around the impact of the new plan the city has on consumers, so there is always an opportunity for improving on public engagement and public participation processes. Of course, across all municipalities in the country there have been weaknesses raised around public consultation, not merely following the due processes but making it meaningful that communities understand what the plan is and they have had the opportunity to influence that plan, identify their needs and put those needs forward."

Meanwhile, the Joburg City Power Board said it had effectively communicated the tariffs with its customers.