Every new development increases demand on municipal infrastructure: roads, water supply, wastewater treatment, stormwater systems, electricity networks, and public amenities. These systems have finite capacity and defined design limits.
Illegal land occupation refers to the unauthorised settlement of people on land without legal title, planning approvals or municipal consent. These occupations often occur on open or undeveloped land, municipal reserves, or privately owned properties, and can evolve into semi-permanent settlements without basic services.
The municipal landfill site currently accepts waste from Mossel Bay and neighbouring district municipalities. While this shared use spreads costs, it also accelerates landfill depletion and complicates long-term planning.
Rivers and estuaries perform essential ecological functions: filtering pollutants, sustaining fish and bird life, recharging groundwater, and connecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Mossel Bay’s property rates and fixed electricity charges have doubled within a short period, significantly outstripping both inflation and household income growth. This rapid escalation is largely driven by tariff decisions that prioritise raising revenue over cost-reflective and equitable charging.
South African local government operates within a constitutional framework that emphasises accountability, transparency, and participatory governance. Municipal councils are expected to encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in matters of local government.
Under South African tax law, VAT is generally applied to consumption-based supplies of goods or services. In the municipal context, this typically includes charges linked directly to measurable usage, such as electricity units consumed or water volume supplied.
A Non-Profit Company (NPC) is a legal entity incorporated under the Companies Act to pursue a public-benefit or community-interest objective. NPCs are prohibited from distributing profits to directors or members, but they may employ staff, contract services, and manage substantial budgets.
Water security refers to the reliable availability of an acceptable quantity and quality of water for people, ecosystems, and productive use throughout the year. It also includes managing risks such as shortages, drought, and infrastructure constraints.
Powertown has existed for over a decade as an unregulated settlement near the Little Brak River estuary. The land it occupies lies below the flood line and lacks formal approval under municipal, environmental, and town planning regulations.
Colin Puren was appointed as Municipal Manager at the highest salary scale available to a Category 4 municipality. This decision exceeded recommended guidelines. Following internal review processes, council determined the salary to be unlawful and ordered repayment of R573,805.75.
The Mossel Bay Municipal Biodiversity Assessment (2019) provided one of the first comprehensive looks at the area’s aquatic ecosystems. It identified key rivers — including Twee Kuilen, Hartenbos, Klein Brak, and Groot Brak — as vital ecological corridors feeding the bay’s estuarine and marine systems.
Our mission has always been to give Mossel Bay residents a fair, open, and effective platform to raise their voices. But for that to work, we need shared values. A code of conduct helps keep discussions on track, ensures everyone feels welcome, and sets the tone for positive collaboration
Joining MossRates is quick, easy, and completely free. We believe everyone deserves a voice when it comes to local rates, which is why our membership is open to all residents. Sign up today and start making a difference in your community.
Becoming part of MossRates means joining a fair and transparent community. With no hidden fees and no complicated processes, you can quickly start engaging with campaigns that affect your neighbourhood.
From 2023 to 2025, Mossel Bay ratepayers have faced a staggering 95% increase in rates and fixed charges—more than 20 times the average inflation rate of 4.5%.
Our first campaign focuses on freezing unfair rate hikes. Residents are feeling the strain of rising costs, and MossRates is committed to standing up for a fair, sustainable approach that protects everyone in our community.