Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Jan Brand
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Naledi has taken action following widespread reports from residents of property rate increases reaching as high as 186%, which have caused significant financial strain and concern.
The tariffs approved by Council on 27 June 2025 did not make provision for such increases. The municipality’s administration has since claimed that the approved tariffs were incorrect and that the higher amounts now being implemented were the intended figures. This explanation exposes a serious discrepancy between the tariffs and the municipal budget, raising major questions about governance, accuracy, and accountability (see extract from budget here).
To ensure accountability, the DA has tabled a motion for consideration at the Naledi Local Municipality Council meeting on 30 October 2025, demanding that the unapproved rate increases be reversed and corrective steps be taken without delay.
The DA opposed and voted against the 2025/2026 municipal budget, warning that it was unfunded, inconsistent, and misaligned with the approved tariffs. The current crisis now confirms the DA’s position and demonstrates that the DA remains the only party that stands firmly for fiscal responsibility and the protection of residents’ interests.
Public participation is a cornerstone of transparent and accountable governance. The DA stresses that no tariff or rate increase should ever be implemented without due public consultation and formal Council approval. Any attempt by the administration to enforce unapproved increases undermines both the law and public trust.
The DA therefore calls on the Naledi Municipal Administration to immediately align all property rates and tariffs with those approved by Council and to ensure that future changes are fully compliant with legal and procedural requirements.
The Democratic Alliance governs with integrity, competence, and accountability.
Where the DA governs, budgets are lawful, transparent, and responsibly managed, ensuring that residents are protected from administrative negligence and unlawful financial decisions.