GOOD party calls on City of Cape Town to withdraw 'drought tariff'
The party says the city must explain to residents why they are still paying a fixed water charge that was only supposed to provide temporary relief to the municipality during the drought five years ago.
Good Party leader Patricia De Lille launches their election manifesto in JHB. Photo: @ForGoodZa/X
CAPE TOWN - The GOOD party is calling on the City of Cape Town to reassess its water plan after tabling a motion in council this week to have drought water tariffs withdrawn.
The party says the city must explain to residents why they are still paying a fixed water charge that was only supposed to provide temporary relief to the municipality during the drought five years ago.
GOOD party media manager Janke Tolmay says it is immoral to punish ratepayers by continuing to charge what are in effect drought surcharges when the province's dams are all full.
"At the time, then mayor Patricia de Lille advocated for a temporary drought levy which could be abandoned when the city’s water supply was more secure. However, the city opted to rework the water tariff structure and included a fixed component that was absurdly based on the size of the pipes," said Tolmay.
"GOOD calls on the City of Cape Town to reassess its water tariffs and water plan to ensure that this fixed charge can be withdrawn, and unnecessary pressure taken off consumers."