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MANZINI CITY COUNCIL SUSPENDS RATES HIKE

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MBABANE – It’s good news for Manzini folk. Belt-tightening has come in a different way for Manzini residents as the municipality has temporarily suspended rates hike this financial year.


The decision, which came as good news to the ratepayers, was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer of the municipality, Mathokoza Thwala, in an interview.


Thwala said the municipality’s decision was influenced by the current state of the economy in the country.
Many people have been complaining that money was scarce these days, owing to the poor economic downturn.


Temporary


 Thwala said the temporary suspension of the rates hike would last until the next financial year where they would conduct the general evaluation roll. Thwala said the municipality was hoping that ratepayers appreciated the temporary suspension of the tariff hike.


He pleaded with the residents of the city to pay their currently owed rates as soon as they received their bills, so that services could not be affected during the temporary suspension of the rates hike.


Thwala stated that the 10th Parliament approved the tariff hike in user fees, something which had slightly improved the economic status of the town.
He made an example of the parking fees which were increased by 100 per cent.

The parking fees increased from E2.50 to E5. Other residents who would have the temporary relief are those from Vuvulane Town Board. The Town Clerk, Mandla Mhlongo, confirmed that the small town would not hike rates this financial year. Mhlongo said the town’s decision was also influenced by the negative state of the economy.


“Rates hike is determined by the general evaluation roll. How can a tariff hike be initiated without the general evaluation roll?” asked Mhlongo. The authorities of Mbabane Municipality stated that they have not yet discussed the issues of rates.

The municipality’s Information and Public Relations Officer Lucky Tsabedze, said the city was only encouraging the ratepayers to pay their rates as expected. “Sisengakayiteki leyo (we have not discussed that issue),” he said. Tsabedze also mentioned that municipalities worked independently, which was why their decisions were not unanimous.


Phindile Simelane, who is the Town Clerk at Siteki Town Council, said the town was in the process of conducting the general evaluation roll. Simelane said the issue would be decided after the completion of the general evaluation roll.


Response


A response from Ngwenya Town Board was that the authorities were still having internal meetings over certain issues, which included the rates hike.
Meanwhile, Mbabane Businessman Walter Bennett, who is also a member of the ratepayers association, commended the Manzini Municipality for temporarily suspending the hike in rates.

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