Cape Town rates: ‘Pay back the money, Geordin!’

The city, under mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, faces the ‘obvious risk’ of owing its ratepayers ‘substantially more’ if it unsuccessfully appeals the latest judgment. Picture: Supplied City of Cape Town residents are increasingly asking the DA-governed metro to pay back the money collected through unlawful charges since 1 July last year. This follows the Cape High Court declaring the city-wide cleaning levy and fixed water and sanitation charges instituted in the budget for the current financial year unlawful and set aside.

This order was, however, suspended until 30 June, which means the current year’s budget remains unaffected. The order applies to the 2026/27 budget, which is currently being finalised and contains similarly structured charges, and future budgets. Asked on Monday (4 May), five days after the ruling was made, whether the city is going to seek leave to appeal – which would suspend the order pending the final decision – or redraft its budget and embark on a new round of public participation, the city could not provide any clarity.

The budget must be finalised in time for implementation on 1 July. “The city is still analysing the judgment and possible ways to protect the infrastructure budget. Once that step is concluded, the city will announce the way forward,” it told Moneyweb.

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Commenting on the Facebook page of the Stop City of Cape Town (CoCT) activist group, Glynis Mitchell said: “Seems unfair. Surely if it’s been deemed illegal/unlawful then rate payers should be refunded the funds unlawfully deducted?” Cleeve Robertson exclaimed: “That’s just wrong! They should pay back the money!” The applications to have the charges set aside were initially brought by the South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa) and AfriForum. The Good Party then intervened, and the Cape Town Collective Ratepayers’ Association (CTCRA) and South Africa First Forum joined the action as friends of the court.

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