The eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM) walked from Curries Fountain to the Durban City Hall in protest against tariff increases and the municipal draft budget for 2026/27.
The eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM) is demanding a zero percent tariff increase for the 2026/27 financial year.
At a public protest held in Durban on Wednesday, the ERPM made it clear that they reject the 2026/27 draft budget and the proposed tariff increases.
The municipality is holding public consultations on the R74.7 billion 2026/27 draft budget. Ratepayers and political parties are concerned about 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 current budget process and documents are non-compliant with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), Municipal Systems Act (MSA), and the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA).
