Residents of Ward 6 have launched a formal revolt against the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) following a “procedurally flawed” public participation process for the 2026/27 electricity tariff hikes.
A community petition has garnered 190+ signatures in under 48 hours as residents express outrage over:
- Exclusionary Tactics: The Municipality provided less than 24 hours’ notice for the Ward 6 cluster meeting held on 10 March, effectively locking out working ratepayers.
- “Leather Chairs vs. Dry Pipes”: While Ward 6 faces a R400,000 cut to critical infrastructure, the Municipality recently allocated R500,000 for office laptops and thousands for luxury boardroom furniture.
- Service Failure: Residents refuse to accept a 9% tariff hike while water reservoirs remain vulnerable due to unsecured power infrastructure.
A formal objection was served this morning to the City Manager and the Directorate of Electricity and Energy, demanding a supplementary meeting with proper notice.
