In a bold move, the eThekwini ratepayers, led by the Westville Ratepayers Association (WRA), have taken a legal route to counteract potential actions by the municipality against members who participated in a rates boycott. This decision follows a prolonged disagreement between the association and the municipality, which began with objections to a tariff increase in July and has since escalated to an ongoing boycott.
The dispute has already led to two meetings between the mayor and the ratepayers. In a closed-door session, the ratepayers urged the municipality to refrain from penalizing members who joined the boycott. Despite these discussions, the municipality has repeatedly stated that withholding rates is illegal and has hinted at following due procedure against non-compliant members.
The WRA has now filed a court application, set to be heard on November 1st. This move was prompted by indications from the municipality that it would proceed with credit control measures, as evidenced by utility bills sent to members. The application aims to prevent the eThekwini municipality from implementing any debt collection and credit control measures, specifically disconnecting electricity and water supplies.
Asad Gaffer, chairperson of the WRA, emphasized that the application does not intend to dictate the outcome of the ongoing dispute. Instead, it seeks to protect the rights of ratepayers during the dispute. The WRA argues that the municipality would be breaching its legislative obligations by cutting off essential services amidst a legitimate disagreement. The core of the dispute revolves around the legality of the budget and the subsequent charges for services.
While the WRA acknowledges its responsibility to pay for rates and services, it insists that such charges must be valid, lawful, and justifiable. The association has expressed its commitment to settling any legitimate charges once the dispute is resolved.
This standoff between the eThekwini ratepayers and the municipality highlights the complexities of governance and the rights of citizens. As the legal proceedings unfold, it will be crucial to see how the courts balance the interests of the municipality with the rights and concerns of its residents.
