Budget Passed Despite Overwhelming Public Rejection
Reporter – George April
CAPE TOWN:- Cape Town residents are feeling the sting of electricity tariffs, that many believe could have been avoided.
This after the City’s leadership pushed through a controversial budget despite overwhelming public opposition.
In May this year, the City of Cape Town invited public input on its proposed 2025/26 budget. The response was loud and clear: 87% of submissions rejected the plan, with most residents voicing concern over steep electricity hikes and new fixed charges.
Yet, the City Council, led by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and supported by DA ward councillors, approved the budget without significant changes.
The new structure has left thousands of households paying more, while receiving less. Prepaid users now face a fixed monthly charge of R68.89, while those on credit meters are hit with a staggering R390.87 monthly fee. The per-unit electricity cost has also climbed to over R4.60, pushing many struggling families to the financial brink.
Residents report that R20 buys barely 3 units, and some are spending upwards of R400 a month, even with minimal electricity use. Many no longer receive the free basic electricity previously provided to low-income households.
Mayor Hill-Lewis and the City have defended the increases, citing infrastructure maintenance and cost-recovery. But critics argue the system unfairly burdens low-income communities, while higher-consumption households benefit from bulk usage.
In Johannesburg, similar tariff proposals were scrapped after public backlash. There, City Power withdrew a planned R230 prepaid charge, opting to revisit the issue in response to residents’ concerns.
Cape Town, however, chose a different path. The City proceeded with full implementation, despite clear objections.
The question now facing residents is not only about tariffs, but about trust. When nearly 90% of public feedback is ignored, many wonder: Whose voices truly count in Cape Town’s decision-making halls?
For many, the answer is becoming painfully clear, they’re paying the price, literally and figuratively…..!
