Residents at the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre in Chatsworth.
Image: Yoshini Perumal
Residents from areas including Chatsworth, Bluff and Montclair voiced concerns regarding the 2026/2027 draft budget that eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba presented at the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre on Monday.
The total budget of R74,7 billion comprises R68,8 billion in operating expenditure and R5,86 billion in capital spending for the Chatsworth community, including wards 17, 33, 65, 66, 68–75, and Ward 77.
Proposed tariff increases were also announced.
eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba.
Image: Yoshini Perumal
At a ward level, significant investments of R530,660.5 million are planned across Chatsworth.
Mayor Cyril Xaba said the city sought to balance financial sustainability with accelerated service delivery through the budget, placing communities at the centre of infrastructure investment and social support.
“The development of the Southern Aqueduct will alleviate the challenges currently being experienced with water supply in the southern areas. The city will invest R1,73 billion in water infrastructure and water loss prevention interventions and R3,01 billion in upgrades to wastewater works. R2,45 billion is allocated for electricity infrastructure,” said Xaba.
Communities raised challenges including high, unaffordable tariffs, poor debt collection, and non-revenue water and sanitation.
Xolani Mglongo, a member of the Treasury, said Isipingo and Cornubia were earmarked for investments.
The proposed tariff increases:
• Electricity: 12.72%
• Water: 15% for domestic use and 16% for business use
• Sanitation: 13% for domestic use and 14% for business use
• Refuse removal: 9.9% for domestic use and 9% for business use
• Property rates: 6.5%.
Upgrades and rehabilitation include:
Lifeguard tower upgrade at Brighton beach - R3.5 million - 27/28 financial year
Ansteys beach - R3.5 million - 27/28 financial year
Bluff Centre upgrade R300 000 per year for the next three financial years
Bangladesh Market building improvement - R2 million - 27/28 financial year
Shallcross landfill rehabilitation - R 30 million - 27/28 financial year
Silverglen resident, Niresh Lukhan, said he was concerned that despite constant increases in services, and allocated budgets, there was little change in the community.
He urged the mayor to concentrate on reducing turnaround times for water leak repairs to curb water wastage and called for better services from DSW so that illegal dumping was stopped.
Lukhan said the community was tired of rising costs and poor services.
Resident Mo Sheik
Image: Yoshini Perumal
Mo Sheik, another resident, questioned the increases and asked Xaba to consider how people would afford increases when salaries increase minimally each year.
The draft budget was tabled to council on March 31. Draft budget consultations will be held throughout the city during May.
Email: [email protected] by May 11.