CAPE TOWN - Cape Town is widening relief for lower and middle-income households after a court ruling forced the city to rethink its tariff structure.
The Western Cape High Court ruled that fixed water, sanitation and cleaning charges linked to property values were unlawful.
In response, the city says it will raise the rates-free rebate threshold from R450,000 to R620,000 for homes valued under R8-million.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the changes are aimed at protecting vulnerable residents while keeping major infrastructure projects on track.
The ruling followed legal action by the South African Property Owners Association.
The association argued the city’s tariff model unfairly tied service charges to property values instead of actual usage.