Shiceka accuses ratepayers organisations

By Ofentse Mokae
04 March 2010

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Sicelo Shiceka has accused some white ratepayer associations of creating a parallel government.

Shiceka who was briefing the media in parliament yesterday said, the associations undermine the ability of municipalities to deliver services.

He said that over 280 white ratepayers associations were placing their money for municipal services in private trust accounts instead of paying municipalities.

He says government wants to engage with everybody to sort out municipal problems.
Shiceka stressed how dependent municipalities have become on the revenue they generate from electricity sales.

Any attempt, he said, to cap the increases they pass on to consumers would have a fundamental impact on local government.