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Woensdag, 26 April 2017 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | epos: nuus@tygerburger.co.za
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“Eat my dust!” The 99er MTB Challenge, which was held across eight Durbanville wine farms on Saturday, was well supported with close to 1000 cyclists participating. The race is organised and hosted by El Shaddai Christian School in Durbanville. Here Khalid Mahomed from Rondeb osch is spinning away on the dry, dusty trail. He finished 23rd in the 60km race. See page 28 for the race report. PHOTO: JUSTIN DE REUCK
PROPOSED ELECTRICITY TARIFF: SERVICE FEE IRRESPECTIVE OF USAGE
Shock for homeowners
ESMÉ ERASMUS
@erasmusesme
A
shock is awaiting “greener” owners of houses worth more than R1 million if the proposed electricity service tariff is approved in the City of Cape Town’s draft 2017 to 2022 integrated development plan, including the draft budget for 2017/18. These homeowners will, regardless of the amount of prepaid electricity they use, all have to pay an electricity service fee of R7 per day (R8.21 with VAT included), amounting to about R246.30 per month. All properties with credit meters currently on the domestic tariff, irrespective of property value, will also be affected,” said Xanthea Limberg, Mayco member for informal settlements, water and waste services and energy.
This tariff, which was previously included in the electricity tariff up until June 2011, is now built onto the rates account. This is on top of an increase of 19.25% in the level-one consumptive water tariff, an increase of 13% to 14% in level two, and 5% to 7% in the level-three consumptive water tariff, as well as an average 3.34% increase in the electricity tariff. A further burden on consumers is the suspension of the free six kilolitres of water to consumers with a property worth more than R400 000 – although this is a value of only R27.36. At the monthly meeting of subcouncil 7 last Wednesday in Durbanville, Heidi Hansen, liaison officer of the electricity department in the east metropole, explained to councillors that the proposal was made to ensure an adequate income for the maintenance of infrastructure.
“Many people have moved to greener options such as solar energy, but the City still needs to keep up the current infrastructure and to supply basic services,” she said. The proposal was criticised by some councillors. Taki Amira, councillor for ward 21, said: “We encourage people to put up solar panels, but then we realise we do not generate enough income and add a surcharge,” he said. “Even a one-bedroom flat is worth more than R1 million. We are hitting the people who are voting for us,” he said. Gerhard Fourie, chairperson of subcouncil 7, said it is important to be “transparent on how we spread the burden and who is paying for what. It is a reality in our country – and we only foresee more increases in rates – to afford services in the Western Cape to the less fortunate. We are paying to ensure services to the poor,” he said.
For homeowners who have spent a lot of money on solar systems and alternative power systems to save on their electricity bill, the electricity service tariff may not seem fair. Limberg said on enquiry from TygerBurger that there is light at the end of the tunnel for some consumers, as the cost of the new electricity service charge is balanced out by what consumers – previously in the domestic category – will save on electricity, as they will be moved to the home user category from 1 July. This is subject to usage of at least 600 kW per month. “The unit cost for the first 600 units will be lower for them than for customers on the domestic tariff, which will compensate for this to varying degrees depending on how much electricity is purchased,” she said. V To page 2.
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