Government punishing homeowners with a triple tax in South Africa

• South African homeowners are paying three times over to secure basic services, as unreliable municipal electricity and water supplies push households to invest in private alternatives.
• The growing dispute over these charges raises questions about whether residents are being unfairly penalised for trying to protect themselves against deteriorating infrastructure.
• Municipalities are charging homeowners monthly fees for private systems, with some municipalities introducing their own charges, sparking outrage among residents and civil rights groups.