Homeowners forced to pay an extra R3,000-a-month bill in South Africa

• Homeowners in South Africa are indeed forced to pay an extra R3,000-a-month bill in some metros, largely due to poor governance and crumbling infrastructure.
• The combined municipal basket for a middle-to-upper-class home valued at R2 million has increased by an estimated 350% to 550% across major metros since 2006, compared to a 170% increase in the national consumer price inflation (CPI) basket over the same period.
• The rising costs have significant implications for homeowners, with some facing steep increases in water, sanitation, and refuse charges, and electricity costs becoming a major component of household bills, leading to public opposition and calls for reform.