Durban – if you are struggling to make ends meet, brace yourself for even more difficult times ahead.
In about two weeks time, petrol prices which are already at the record highs are expected to increase by another 30 odd cents. This is likely to push up the price of a litre of petrol to R16 in some areas, the results is likely to be higher food prices. But that is not all, from July eThekwini will raise utility cost, that means rates will go up as will services like electricity, water, sewage and refuse.
Rates and services will increase by 6.84% for electricity, 15% for water (domestic), 15.5% business, 9.9% for refuse removal, 9.9% for sanitation and 6.9% for rates.
Taxi commuters will also feel the pinch from July 01 when fares go up by R1. However, Boy Zondi, the KwaZulu Natal Chairman of the South African Taxi Association said it was their resolution to increase taxi fares once a year and so the petrol increases had not caused the R1 annual increase in taxi fares.
