DA Slams Joburg’s Unfair Billing, Demands Automatic Refunds

Alan Fuchs, DA Gauteng Constituency Head for Roodepoort, has called out the City of Johannesburg for its chaotic billing system, which continues to overcharge residents despite approved tariff reductions. The Democratic Alliance (DA) demands immediate action to rectify the issue and ensure automatic refunds for affected households.

Residents Overcharged Due to Flawed Billing System

At the start of the 2024/2025 financial year, the City of Johannesburg approved a reduced sewerage tariff of R314.60 per unit for multi-dwelling properties valued under R700,000. However, instead of automatically applying this lower rate, the City has continued billing residents at the higher tariff of R704.47 per unit.

When residents query these inflated charges, they are told to formally apply for a tariff adjustment—a process many are unaware of. Even worse, refunds are only backdated to the application date, not the date the reduced tariff was approved. This allows the City to profit from overcharges until residents take action.

“Predatory Billing Must End” – Alan Fuchs

Fuchs condemned the City’s actions, stating: “This is a predatory revenue collection tactic. If the City can automatically increase tariffs, why can’t it apply reductions? This selective billing unfairly benefits the City at the expense of struggling households.”

The DA argues that the lack of transparency in billing practices exploits residents who may not be familiar with tariff regulations. While approved tariffs are publicized, most residents are unaware of the detailed billing processes, leaving them vulnerable to overcharging.

DA’s Plan to Hold City Accountable

The DA will take the following actions to protect residents:

• Push for automatic application of approved tariff reductions.
• Demand refunds backdated to the date the tariff was lowered.
• Improve communication to ensure residents are informed of changes.
• Request a full report through the Shadow MMC for Finance to determine how many households are affected and what corrective measures the City will take.

“The City must stop treating residents as cash cows,” Fuchs added. “We will fight for fairness and accountability to ensure no one is unfairly overcharged.”

Call to Action

Affected residents are encouraged to check their municipal bills and lodge disputes if overcharged. The DA urges the City of Johannesburg to fix its broken billing system and refund residents without delay.

By addressing these issues, the DA aims to restore trust in Johannesburg’s billing processes and protect residents from unjust charges.