Ekurhuleni residents will have to dig deeper into their pockets as new tariffs kick in from July 1.
Image: File
Residents and businesses across Ekurhuleni will pay more for municipal services from this month after the City confirmed that its new tariffs, approved as part of the 2026/27 budget, came into effect on Wednesday.
The City of Ekurhuleni announced the tariff adjustments in a media statement on Tuesday, saying the increases form part of the R70.9 billion budget approved by council last month.
According to the municipality, the budget is designed to strengthen service delivery, improve infrastructure maintenance and support the City’s long-term financial sustainability while ensuring essential municipal services continue to reach communities and businesses across the metro.
City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the budget reflects its commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive municipality.
Following a public consultation process that the City said took residents’ affordability concerns into account, the following tariff increases have been approved:
The electricity increase, together with the water tariff adjustment, represents the largest rise in municipal charges. Dlamini said the electricity increase aligns with NERSA-approved tariffs that municipalities across South Africa have implemented to keep pace with Eskom’s pricing.
The municipality acknowledged that the higher tariffs would place additional pressure on households and businesses but said the increases had been kept as balanced as possible while allowing the City to maintain, repair and upgrade critical infrastructure.
Residents who qualify for financial assistance have been encouraged to apply for the City’s indigent support programme and debt rehabilitation incentives.
The City also urged residents and businesses to continue paying their municipal accounts, saying revenue collection remains critical to sustaining service delivery and safeguarding the metro’s financial stability.
“The City remains committed to ensuring that public resources are utilised responsibly and effectively,” Dlamini said.
It added that the implementation of the 2026/27 budget marks the beginning of a new phase focused on improving service delivery, strengthening accountability and building “an Ekurhuleni that works for all.”
IOL