AfriForum Takes Johannesburg Water Levy to Court
What Happened?
AfriForum went to the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday asking for an urgent review of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality’s decision to raise the water demand management levy by 65.6 %. The new rate would jump from R65.08 to R107.74 per month for residential customers and is set to start on July 1.
Why AfriForum Is Concerned
- Financial strain: The increase could push many households to the edge of what they can afford.
- Service problems: Residents already face regular water interruptions, and the higher levy does not come with promises of better service.
- Lack of transparency: AfriForum says the metro never explained how the 65.6 % figure was calculated, leaving residents unable to judge whether the hike is fair.
AfriForum’s Efforts Before Going to Court
- Repeatedly asked the metro for details and a chance to discuss the increase.
- Received no meaningful response; the metro told AfriForum to file a formal request under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).
- Argued that waiting for a PAIA reply would defeat the purpose of public participation because the process would finish after the budget is already in effect.
The Metro’s Position
- Claims the levy increase is lawful and justified.
- Says public meetings were held and residents could submit comments before the budget was adopted.
- Insists AfriForum should have used the PAIA route if it wanted more information.
- Calls AfriForum’s court application “misplaced, disruptive, and disproportionate.”
What the Court Is Deciding
- Urgency hearing: On Tuesday afternoon the court will consider whether the matter needs an urgent ruling.
- If the judge agrees it’s urgent, the full case will be heard on Thursday to decide whether the levy should be stopped or changed.
What This Means for Residents
- If the court sides with AfriForum, the increase could be paused until the metro provides clear justification and follows proper public participation rules.
- If the court sides with the metro, the new levy will take effect on July 1 as planned.
Conclusion
The dispute boils down to a simple question: Should a major price hike be imposed without giving residents enough information to understand and comment on it? AfriForum believes the answer is no and is asking the court to enforce transparency and fair process. The metro argues it followed the law and that the increase is reasonable. The upcoming court rulings will determine who wins and what Johannesburg residents will actually pay for water starting next month.
