Municipal Services South Africa — Rates, Accounts & Contact Details
Last updated: 12 March 2026
Managing your municipal account in South Africa can be confusing. Whether you need to pay your rates, query a high bill, report a fault, or just find the right phone number, this guide covers the major municipalities with everything you need in one place.
Major Municipalities — Contact Details & How to Pay
City of Johannesburg
City Power Johannesburg
City of Cape Town
eThekwini Municipality (Durban)
City of Tshwane (Pretoria)
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha)
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (Bloemfontein)
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (East London)
Msunduzi Local Municipality (Pietermaritzburg)
Understanding Your Municipal Bill
A typical South African municipal bill includes several charges. Here is what each line item means:
| Charge | What It Covers | How It Is Calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment Rates | Property tax paid to the municipality | Based on the municipal valuation of your property, multiplied by a cent-in-the-rand rate |
| Electricity | Power consumption for the billing period | Metered usage in kWh, multiplied by the applicable tariff. Most metros use tiered/block tariffs — higher usage costs more per unit |
| Water | Water consumption | Metered usage in kilolitres (kl), with tiered pricing. First 6kl is typically free or subsidised for indigent households |
| Sewerage | Wastewater treatment | Usually a percentage of your water consumption (typically 70-85% of water used is assumed to enter the sewer system) |
| Refuse Removal | Waste collection and disposal | Flat monthly fee based on your property type (residential, business, etc.) |
| Basic Charges | Fixed connection/availability fees | Fixed monthly amount for maintaining the connection, even if usage is zero |
| VAT (15%) | Value Added Tax | Applied to all charges. Assessment rates are VAT-exempt |
Municipal Tariff Increases 2026
Municipal tariffs are adjusted annually, usually taking effect on 1 July. Increases are guided by national government guidelines but set by each municipality individually. Here is what to expect for the 2025/2026 financial year:
| Service | Typical Increase | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 12-15% | Driven by Eskom bulk tariff increases approved by NERSA. Municipalities add a surcharge on top of the Eskom price. |
| Water | 8-12% | Rising water infrastructure costs and drought-related expenses drive above-inflation increases. |
| Assessment Rates | 5-8% | Property rates increases are generally more moderate but can spike during revaluation years. |
| Refuse Removal | 6-10% | Increasing waste management and landfill costs. |
| Sewerage | 8-10% | Linked to water tariffs and wastewater treatment plant maintenance costs. |
These increases are approximate and vary by municipality. Check your municipality's official tariff schedule for exact figures, typically published in June each year.
How to Query or Dispute Your Municipal Account
If you believe your account is incorrect, follow these steps:
Take a photo of your electricity and water meters. Record the numbers. This is your evidence if the municipality has estimated incorrectly.
Look at the past 3-6 months of bills. Check for sudden jumps in consumption or charges that do not match your usage patterns.
Call or visit your municipal revenue office. Provide your account number, meter readings, and a description of the issue. Request a reference number for your query.
Email your query with supporting documents (meter photos, previous bills). Keep copies of all correspondence. Municipalities must respond within 30 days.
If the municipality does not resolve your query, you can escalate to your ward councillor, the municipal ombudsman, or the National Consumer Commission. You may also approach the High Court for relief on incorrect billing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my municipal account online?
Most major municipalities offer online account access. Visit your municipality's official website and look for "e-Services", "City Connect", or "Online Services". You will typically need your account number and a registered email address. City of Johannesburg uses joburg.org.za, Cape Town uses capetown.gov.za/City-Connect, and Tshwane uses tshwane.gov.za. For smaller municipalities, phone the customer care number to request a statement be emailed to you.
How do I pay my municipal account?
You can pay your municipal account via several methods: (1) Online through your municipality's e-services portal, (2) Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) using the banking details on your bill, (3) Debit order — contact your municipality to set this up, (4) At municipal cashier offices in person, (5) At retail partners such as Pick n Pay, Checkers, or Shoprite using your account number, or (6) Via banking apps. Always use your account number as the reference to ensure correct allocation.
Why is my municipal bill so high?
Common reasons for high bills include: (1) Estimated meter readings — the municipality estimated your usage instead of reading the meter, leading to over- or under-billing, (2) Water leaks on your property (check your meter when all taps are off; if it still moves, you have a leak), (3) Tariff increases — municipalities increase tariffs annually, typically above inflation, (4) Moving into a higher consumption tier — South African municipalities use tiered pricing where higher use costs more per unit, (5) Arrears from previous months, or (6) Errors in your account. Contact your municipality's revenue department to query.
How do I report a water or electricity fault?
Call your municipality's fault reporting line. Key numbers: Johannesburg 011 375 5555, City Power 011 490 7000, Cape Town 0860 103 089, eThekwini 0800 331 011, Tshwane 012 358 9999, Ekurhuleni 0860 543 000. Most municipalities also accept fault reports via their website, WhatsApp, or a dedicated app. Provide your address, account number, and a clear description of the fault. For life-threatening emergencies involving electricity, call your municipal emergency number immediately.
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