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#EndPunitiveWaterTariffsNow – Rejoice For You Can Stop Voting NOW

By

Dear Editor

Today marks a significant victory for the citizens of Nelson Mandela Bay with the removal of punitive water tariffs that have burdened our communities for far too long.

This achievement is not about political gain but about the power of collective action and the unwavering determination of our residents to fight for fairness and accountability.

For over a year, the devastating impact of these tariffs has been felt across the Metro, with families and businesses struggling to keep up with rising costs amidst a water crisis that no longer reflects our current dam levels. The impact of the tariffs was harsh, and was unnecessarily prolonged by the NMB government, costing families dearly at a time of a cost-of-living crisis.

The strength of our residents, who refused to accept this injustice, alongside dedicated advocacy, has finally led to a breakthrough.

This outcome proves that when the people of Nelson Mandela Bay stand together, their voices cannot be ignored. It is a reminder that governance is not about political dominance but about listening to and acting in the best interest of the people.

Acknowledging that these punitive tariffs were counterproductive, were increasing debt burdens and were harming the Metro’s financial stability, is an important step.

Removing them is a decision that places the needs of citizens first and strengthens the collective resilience of our community, although the decision by NMB’s local government should have been made months ago when the DA pushed for it in Council.

To everyone who stood firm, raised their concerns, and supported this effort: this is your victory.

Together, we’ve shown that the will of the people can bring about meaningful change. Let us continue to build on this momentum, striving for fairness and solutions that uplift all residents of Nelson Mandela Bay. The DA is in your corner, fighting for your rights.

Regards

Cllr Dries van der Westhuizen
DA NMB Spokesperson for Infrastructure and Engineering

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Port Elizabethan

This author is a 'catch-all' for occasional articles and letters written to MyPE. The Author of each article can be found in the signature at the bottom of each individual article.