COSATU Protests Against Cape Town's Municipal Tariffs
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) staged a significant protest in Cape Town on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, to voice strong opposition to the City's recently increased municipal tariffs. Hundreds of union supporters marched through the Central Business District (CBD), culminating in the handover of a memorandum to City officials. The demonstration coincided with the International Day for Decent Work, forming part of a broader national campaign by COSATU to highlight socio-economic challenges in South Africa.
Demands for Tariff Review and Pro-Poor Budget
COSATU's primary grievance centered on the new municipal tariffs, which include fixed charges for water and sanitation, a cleaning levy, and high electricity tariffs, all implemented on July 1, 2025. Melvyn De Bruyn, COSATU Provincial Secretary, characterized the City's 2025/26 budget as 'anti-poor' and accused the City of not prioritizing the interests of the working class.
The memorandum presented to the City of Cape Town outlined several key demands:
- An immediate six-month freeze on all planned price hikes for water, electricity, sanitation, and garbage collection services.
- The implementation of a new progressive tariff structure designed to shift costs from poor households to big business.
- A call for the doubling of free basic service allocations for indigent households and an end to service disconnections.
- A pro-poor review of the 2025/26 municipal budget to prioritize housing, sanitation, transport, and job creation.
- Specific proposals for a R500 million township upgrade fund and the creation of 5,000 new Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) jobs, while also advocating for the abolishment of the current EPWP system, which COSATU claims is being abused.
March Route and City's Response
The march commenced from Hanover Street, proceeding to the Western Cape Provincial Legislature before concluding at the City of Cape Town's Civic Centre offices. Memorandums were handed over to both Premier Alan Winde and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. City spokesperson Jean-Marie Pressly confirmed the receipt of the memorandum, stating that the City would review the document and provide a response in due course.
Beyond the tariff issues, COSATU's broader demands included calls for job creation, the protection of workers' rights, and measures to address the rising cost of living. The union also used the platform to advocate for a Basic Income Grant and stronger action against gender-based violence. Furthermore, COSATU urged the national government to sever diplomatic and trade ties with Israel and implement Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) measures in support of Palestine.
5 Comments
Fuerza
It's good to see advocacy for the poor, and progressive tariffs could help, but we also need to consider the impact on businesses that create jobs. A balance between social equity and economic growth is difficult to achieve.
Manolo Noriega
The call for a pro-poor budget review is important, as is investing in townships, but attaching international political demands to a municipal protest dilutes the core message on local service costs. Focus on what's achievable locally.
Fuerza
COSATU highlights critical issues like poverty and unemployment, but some of their demands, like abolishing EPWP while creating new jobs, seem to lack a coherent strategy. A clear, sustainable plan is crucial.
Ongania
COSATU is absolutely right. The City's budget is a disgrace, totally anti-poor.
Fuerza
While citizens have a right to protest against high tariffs, the city also has a responsibility to maintain infrastructure, which requires funding. A transparent dialogue on cost drivers and alternative funding models might be more productive than outright freezes.