ANC, EFF, and Minority Coalition of Corruption Votes against Adjustment Budget, bringing Service Delivery Enhancements to a Halt

by Cllr. Khathutshelo Rasilingwane — DA Deputy Chief Whip in Ekurhuleni

Date: 24 February 2023

Release: Immediate

Type: Media statement

Following the failure of the Council to pass the Mid-year Adjustment Budget, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni is concerned about the potential negative impact it may have on service delivery across the city.

In the Ordinary Council Meeting of the 23rd February 2023, the African National Congress (ANC), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Independent Rate Payer’s Association (IRASA), Patriotic Alliance (PA), voted against the adjustment budget proposed by the Multi-Party Coalition which would’ve seen significant improvements in service delivery across the City.

Over two weeks ago, the Executive Mayor, Ald. Tania Campbell stressed the importance of the adjustment budget and the potential consequences that it may have on service delivery for our over 4 million residents if it was not passed in Council. Given the financial situation of the City, the Executive Mayor further requested that the parties represented in Council set aside their political differences to ensure that the adjustment budget is passed.

The adjustment budget was set to be passed in January 2023, however, due to numerous disruptions to Council proceedings from the ANC, EFF, and minority coalition of corruption, the passing of the adjustment budget was delayed by more than three weeks.

Had the budget been successfully passed, the following service delivery-aligned budget adjustments would have been made:

• The Roads and Stormwater Department’s budget would’ve been increased by R19,17 million (or R19,177,145) to R264, 11 million (or R264,110,777) to aggressively deal with potholes and streetlight repair and maintenance throughout the City.
• R21,75 million (R21, 750, 000) would’ve been allocated to the Waste Management Department bringing its total budget to R147,75 million (or R147, 750, 000) to assist with fleet breakdowns, maintenance, and the purchase of new waste trucks which are desperately needed by the department to stabilize waste collection across the City.
• R36,7 million (R36, 700, 000) would’ve been allocated to the Energy Department bringing its total budget to R594,73 million (R594,733,106) to assist with electricity infrastructure breakdowns, maintenance, and upgrades caused by load-shedding.
• An additional R36,7 million (R36, 700, 000) would’ve been allocated to the Energy Department’s already R558 million (R558,033,106) budget to ensure that the City’s 47 IPPs are brought online amid the country’s loadshedding crisis and to reduce our reliance on Eskom’s supply by more than 25%.
• Given the cost of living crisis faced by residents post the Covid-19 pandemic. The City’s Operating Expenditure has would’ve been increased from R47.96 billion to R50.33 billion to assist with Debt Impairment, Contracted Services, and Bulk Purchases of Water and Electricity so that residents are still able to enjoy uninterrupted delivery of services in midst of the current economic crisis.
• With the adjustment budget being rejected by these parties, urgent resource allocations and service delivery enhancements will be brought to an inevitable halt. We consider this a deliberate act of sabotage to service delivery in Ekurhuleni and condemn it with the contempt that it deserves.

The residents of Ekurhuleni deserve a government that works and a government that delivers. Our residents should not be used as collateral damage in party political games. The consequences of this sabotage will have a dire effect on service delivery and will fall hardest on the residents of the City.

The Multi-Party will endeavour to have the adjustment budget passed in the Extraordinary Council Meeting scheduled for the 28th February 2023. With the City in an already financially precarious position following the delays in Council, the DA again, calls on parties to consider the importance of the adjustment budget by acting in the best interests of our residents and ensuring the stable and smooth running of Council and its proceedings, towards the achievement of accountable and transparent governance, and improved service delivery.

Cllr. Khathutshelo Rasilingwane

DA Deputy Chief Whip in Ekurhuleni