Cape Winelands: Halt the Unjustified Tariff Hikes

GOOD Statement by Andrew Hess,  GOOD Cape Winelands District Municipality Councillor:

The GOOD Party, a member of Unite for Change, has written to the Cape Winelands District Municipality to raise serious concern over the recent tariff increases imposed by the Breede Valley Municipality, increases which were implemented without adequate public consultation, justification, or consideration for residents already struggling under extreme cost-of-living pressures.

GOOD calls for an immediate review and suspension of the new tariff structure, which affects electricity, water, refuse removal, and property rates. These hikes are not only excessive but threaten the survival of small businesses, deepen the burden on low-income households, and risk pushing more residents into financial distress.

GOOD emphasises that municipalities have a constitutional obligation to manage budgets responsibly while ensuring affordability, transparency, and fairness. Revenue collection cannot come at the expense of residents’ basic dignity or economic stability.

In a formal letter to the municipality, GOOD calls for the following actions:

• Immediate suspension of the current tariff increases.
• Transparent and inclusive consultation with residents, business owners, and civil society.
• Publication of a detailed breakdown showing how the increased revenue will directly improve service delivery.
• Exploration of alternative and equitable revenue strategies that do not unfairly burden vulnerable ratepayers.

The people of the Breede Valley deserve accountable leadership that prioritises service delivery over self-preservation. These tariff hikes must be urgently reviewed in the interests of fairness and affordability.

Tariff decisions made without transparency and empathy undermine trust in local government and deepen inequality.

GOOD Electoral Performance: GOOD contested its first national elections in 2019.

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