DA Demands Action, End to ‘Unlawful Levy’
By Loxion News Staff Writer
PRETORIA – A political storm is brewing in the City of Tshwane as the Democratic Alliance (DA) has publicly called on Mayor Nasiphi Moya and her ANC-led coalition government to collect a massive R23-million debt owed by Deputy Mayor and Finance MMC Bonzo Modise — and to immediately stop billing residents for the controversial city cleansing levy declared unlawful by the Gauteng High Court.
The DA, led by its Tshwane mayoral candidate Ald. Cilliers Brink, says the city is “punishing residents” with skyrocketing bills while giving politically connected leaders a free pass on their municipal debt.
“Tshwane must stop acting as a law unto itself. End the double standards. Apply credit control to Modise’s R23-million debt just as you cut power to ordinary residents, schools, businesses, and even the Tshwane University of Technology,” Brink said at a press conference this week.
Key Issues at Stake
- R23 Million Debt: Municipal bills show that Modise’s company, Mzansi Resorts, which operates on the premises of the former Morula Sun, has not paid its municipal account.
- Credit Control Suspended: Despite aggressive credit control campaigns cutting off electricity to residents and institutions, no action has been taken on Modise’s property.
- Illegal Cleansing Levy: The controversial levy — which the court ruled to be unlawful — was re-added to residents’ bills despite there being no appeal lodged at the time of billing.
- Skyrocketing Costs: Tshwane residents face some of the highest municipal bills in South Africa, driven by a new property valuation roll and steep electricity tariffs.
DA’s Challenge to the City of Tshwane
The DA is demanding that the ANC-led coalition:
- Respect the High Court Ruling — Commit not to appeal the cleansing levy judgment and remove it from residents’ bills permanently.
- Apply Equal Credit Control — Disconnect power to Mzansi Resorts or recover the R23-million debt through legal enforcement.
- Table a New Funding Plan — Present a realistic plan to fix the city’s R857-million budget deficit without unfairly overburdening residents.
Residents Under Pressure
Brink’s listening tour in Rosslyn, Elandspoort, and other Pretoria communities revealed widespread frustration:
- Property rates in some suburbs have tripled overnight.
- Businesses are holding back on expansion plans due to excessive electricity tariffs.
- Households report paying more for fewer services compared to other major metros like Cape Town and Durban.
“Residents are paying premium rates for below-average services. This is unsustainable, and the city is failing its people,” Brink said.
Legal Context
The High Court found the cleansing levy unlawful, calling it double taxation and slamming the city for failing to justify its legality. Residents must be credited for past payments, but instead, Tshwane re-billed them.
Legal experts warn that ignoring the judgment could expose the city to further litigation and financial liability.
Political Implications
The case has become a litmus test for governance in Tshwane, raising questions about corruption, fairness, and accountability just months ahead of local elections.
With the DA and other opposition parties calling for action, the pressure is mounting on Mayor Moya and her coalition to prove that politically connected leaders are not above the law.
