The eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM) held a meeting in Overport on Tuesday. From left: Jay Singh, of the United Independent Movement (UIM) in eThekwini, Councillor Jameel Essop, representing the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) in eThekwini; Saul Basckin, ActionSA councillor in eThekwini; Asad Gaffar, ERPM chairperson; Carl Lortan, the chairperson of Sydenham Ratepayers; and Abdool Valodia, chairperson of Overport Ratepayers.
The eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM) is expected to bring together a coalition of stakeholders to march against tariff increases and the draft municipal budget from Curries Fountain to Durban City Hall on Wednesday.
The municipality is holding public consultations on the R74.7 billion 2026/27 draft budget. The concern for ratepayers and political parties is the proposed tariff increases for electricity (10.5%), water (15%), sanitation (13%), refuse removal (13%), and property rates (5%).
Asad Gaffar, chairperson of ERPM, said the march is about protecting the future of the city, amplifying the voice of the people, restoring accountability, demanding dignity, reliable services, and responsible governance. He is expected to hand over a memorandum of demands to the municipality.
