The FF Plus voted against the budget of the Mangaung Metro for the 2021/22 financial year seeing as it proposes exorbitant increases in rates and taxes and does not cut back on needless expenses.
The current difficult economic circumstances call for innovation, which means that the same old recipe of tariff hikes cannot be followed as it was in the past.
According to the budget, service fees and taxes will be increased with much more than the current inflation rate, while residents are getting very poor service delivery.
Since their incorporation into the Metro in 2016, the residents of De Wetsdorp, Wepener and Van Stadensrus have had to cope with tariff increases of 403%. These residents are paying metro tariffs, but do not have basic service delivery on a weekly basis.
Given the present terrible economic circumstances, it makes no sense to raise rates and taxes. It will not solve the Metro's financial problems, on the contrary, it will exacerbate them.
These unaffordable increases will further restrict economic growth and development. It will also result in more defaulting, which will add to the Metro's outstanding debtors.
The Metro Council should rather create a favourable environment in which the private sector can create jobs and invest more. Thus, rates and taxes must instead be lowered to stimulate the economy.
The FF Plus will continue to expose and oppose the corruption and mismanagement in the Municipality.
Mangaung residents deserve a feasible and realistic budget with affordable rates and taxes and where they get value for money as regards service delivery.
In the upcoming local government elections, voters will have the opportunity to stand up against this, to stand with the FF Plus and send a strong message: The decline in the Metro must come to an end.
Contact details: 082 305 1540
