The City of Johannesburg’s tariff hikes kicked in from 1 July. The announcement was made during the 2019/2020 financial year budget presentation in May.

Water tariffs increase by 9.9%, while electricity tariffs have increased by 13.07%.

According to the city’s tariff reports, some of the most notable increases include:

• A 9.9% increase in the cost of water;
• A 5.5% increase in property rates;
• A 13.07% increase in electricity;
• A 7% increase in refuse removal (solid waste).

Speaking to on the Xolani Gwala show, Eyewitness News reporter Mia Lindeque said that  the City is making plans to accommodate those who can’t pay.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance in the City of Johannesburg, Funzela Ngobeni, said that the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (NERSA) decision to grant Eskom a more than 41% tariff increase has forced the city to hike its tariffs.

The one silver lining is a drop in the petrol price from Wednesday, 3 July 2019. Petrol is set to decline by 95 cents and 96 cents per litre for 95 and 93 grades, respectively.

Diesel will come down by 75 cents and 76 cents per litre for 0.05% sulphur content and 0.005% sulphur content, respectively.