The Johannesburg High Court is hearing an urgent application by AfriForum against Johannesburg's water levy hike.
AfriForum turned to the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, on Tuesday in an urgent bid to review and set aside the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality’s controversial increase of 65.6% in the water demand management levy.
The organisation approached the court on an urgent basis because the metro’s new budget, including this huge increase, is due to come into effect on July 1.
According to AfriForum, residents will be materially disadvantaged, and preventable practical problems will be created if the increased levy comes into effect before its legality has been tested.
“Litigation was never AfriForum’s first choice. We have repeatedly requested information and meaningful engagement from the metro to address our concerns. However, the metro has refused to engage with us in any meaningful way, leaving us with no other alternative than to approach the courts,” Marais de Vaal, AfriForum’s advisor for Environmental Affairs, said.
