The end of each month is an extremely bitter pill to swallow when I receive my municipal account. Paarl probably has the highest rates and taxes, and fees of any Western Cape municipality.
We pay very high fixed rates for water and electricity connections before even paying a cent for a drop of water or one unit of electricity. Then we also pay a rate for sewage and refuse removal. And then, on top of all of this, we pay extremely high property taxes.
But where does our property-tax money go? What kind of additional services are we getting for this?
Just drive through our neighbourhoods and take a look at the mess.
In Paarl West alone, pavements have been transformed into unkempt forests of weeds and potholes.
Rubbish has become the national flower of Paarl. Lawlessness takes place in full view of everyone and no law enforcement or traffic officers can be seen who are supposed to deal with this.
In short, the town is an eyesore and a disgrace. So where are our rates and taxes going? Lining the pockets of our municipality’s very high salary load?
