eThekwini residents have demanded accountability from the municipal management after a technical glitch led to billing discrepancies.  

The eThekwini municipal tariffs annual increase for the 2025/26 financial year included the water tariff residential proposed increase was reduced from 15% to 13%, and for business was reduced from 16% to 14%. 

Similarly, the sanitation tariff for residential increases was reduced from a proposed 13% to 11%, and for business, 14% to 12%.

However, on Tuesday, Asad Gaffar, the chairperson of the Ethekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM) issued a statement stating that residents of eThekwini have been incorrectly billed. The ERPM claimed in their statement that the municipality had implemented a 15% water increase, instead of the council-approved 13%. 

In response, the eThekwini municipality stated that they were in the final stages of implementing the approved tariff adjustments for the 2025/26 financial year. 

“These changes will be reflected in the second billing cycle, scheduled for 20 August 2025.During the first billing cycle, a technical issue led to some discrepancies between the approved tariffs and those reflected on some accounts,” the municipality stated.

 The municipality claimed that they have since resolved the matter, and any differences, whether over or under, will be automatically corrected in the upcoming billing cycle.

Visvin Reddy, uMkhonto Wesizwe National MP and former eThekwini Councillor claimed that the “technical glitch” is nothing but daylight robbery. He said that residents are already drowning under impossible tariffs.

 “Residents are now forced to suffer more because of a municipality that cannot even get its bills right. Families are stressed, pensioners are panicking, and businesses are bleeding, all because of incompetence at the top. Let’s be clear: this is not a mistake — it is a betrayal. How many times will the people of Durban be lied to, robbed, and then told to “understand”,” Reddy asked.

Reddy called for an independent audit into the billing scandal and for accountability, saying those “who messed up must pay”, and not the ratepayers!

Roshan Lil-Ruthan, the spokesperson for Verulam Water Crisis Committee (VWCC), said that the ‘technical issue’ is not merely a minor oversight but constitutes a breach of public trust and a direct financial prejudice against the ratepayers.

“The municipality’s attempt to downplay the matter as a routine correction is unacceptable. Had it not been for the vigilance of civic society and ratepayer oversight, this error would have gone unnoticed, and the municipality would have unlawfully retained funds it is not entitled to,” Lil-Ruthan said. 

The VWCC demanded the following:

• Immediate transparency: A full public disclosure of how the error occurred, which systems failed, and who was responsible.
• Accountability: Disciplinary action against those whose negligence or misconduct led to this breach.
• Restitution on their terms: The municipality must not dictate the terms of refund or credit. Ratepayers must be consulted and compensated fairly, with interest where applicable.
• Systemic reform: This incident highlights a pattern of mediocrity in municipal operations. 

“The eThekwini municipality has long positioned itself as a leader in the local government sector. Yet, repeated failures such as this erode public confidence and tarnish the city’s reputation. We remind the municipality that leadership is not declared—it is earned through integrity, competence, and accountability,” he said. 

Jay Govender, of the Tongaat Ratepayers Association, said they were very concerned and have alerted residents to be extra cautious and look into their bills carefully.

“A word of caution to all residents that you are ultimately responsible for your bills.  Please be careful and always double check that you have been billed correctly, as glitches such as these can easily slip through the cracks,” Govender said. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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