ActionSA and Opposition Parties Demand Genuine Public Engagement Over eThekwini’s R74.7 Billion Budget and Above-Inflation Tariff Hikes

ActionSA and opposition parties demand meaningful consultation on eThekwini's 2026/27 budget, citing unfair tariff hikes for water, electricity, and refuse.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 9:16 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from IOL

A Massive Fiscal Plan Amidst Economic Turbulence

The eThekwini Municipality is preparing to take its R74.7 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year to the public, following a formal presentation by Mayor Cyril Xaba. The budget is split between an operating expenditure of R68.8 billion and a capital budget of R5.9 billion. While Mayor Xaba insists the plan balances fiscal discipline with targeted growth and infrastructure support, opposition councillors argue that the timing could not be worse. The global economy, currently rattled by the US-Israel conflict in Iran, has left local ratepayers facing soaring food and fuel costs, making the city's financial demands a flashpoint for political debate.

Opposition Warns Against "Tick-Box" Consultations

ActionSA Councillor Saul Basckin has been vocal in demanding that the upcoming public engagement sessions serve as more than a procedural formality. Basckin noted that previous consultation cycles showed little evidence of public input actually influencing the final budgetary outcomes. He argued that the current approach merely shifts the "cost of failure" onto compliant, rate-paying citizens and businesses. This sentiment was echoed by Jay Singh of the United Independent Movement, who called for clear assurances that higher costs would lead to reliable service delivery rather than simply covering rising operating expenses.

Breaking Down the Proposed Service Hikes

The draft budget outlines steep increases across all major municipal services, many of which significantly exceed current inflation rates. The proposed adjustments include: