Despite the objections of the eThekwini Municipal officials, Councillor Rick Crouch of the Democratic Alliance in eThekwini Municipality continues to maintain that only 10.6 per cent of the residents of eThekwini, that are 19 years and older, pay rates.
It should be a priority of this municipality to increase that number by creating an environment that will enable the private sector to create jobs and thereby converting as many of the 89.4 per cent who do not pay rates into proud ratepayers.
“Instead of creating a jobs positive environment,” says Councillor Crouch, “the municipality wants to impose a new local tax on businesses in which one determining factor on the amount of tax payable is the number of employees the business employs. Considering the current global economic crisis it is irresponsible to impose any new taxes on businesses at this time.”
“The numbers I used for my calculation of the 10.6 per cent came from a number of sources, including questions answered in council and the municipalities revenue department,” said Councillor Rick Crouch, a member of the Finance Committee.
“The municipal officials continue in their attempts to debunk my 10.6 per cent. This current situation with 89.4 per cent of residents not being ratepayers is unsustainable. They claim 97 per cent and if you believe that 97 per cent of all residents over 18 years old in eThekwini Municipality, from Cato Ridge to Umkomaas, are paying rates I have a bridge you might be interested in,” he goes on.
“We have to treat this as a crisis. Start by cutting the red tape and expense of opening and running a business in eThekwini. Business, not government, creates jobs and jobs create rate payers. We should be an island in an ocean of red tape and taxes for businesses and ratepayers. We need to be the destination of choice for both business and residents. So what if the other Metro’s are arguing for this, let us stand out from that group and say, ‘No thanks, we are pro-jobs and we do not want any part of it.’”