Tshwane councillors clash over budget
The Tshwane metro council meeting at Tshwane House witnessed intense debates as councillors scrutinised the latest budget.
The budget, above R50-billion, was presented by the MMC for Finance and Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise last month.
The debates, marked by political tensions and divergent views, highlighted the metro's ongoing financial challenges and the complexities of governance.
Modise tabled a fully funded budget for the 2025/26 financial year in a move towards financial sustainability and improved service delivery.
The budget was formally endorsed by the National Treasury, marking an achievement for the municipality, previously plagued by financial instability.
He hailed his budget as a turning point in Tshwane governance and fiscal management.
The budget doesn't rely on external loans or borrowing, which Modise described as 'historic and a reflection of responsible leadership'.
Despite the budget's passage with 113 votes, opposition parties raised concerns.
The DA rejected and criticised the budget, and described it as using residents as 'cash cows'.
DA councillor Jacqui Uys highlighted that the ANC in Tshwane has ignored opposition voices and included another punitive tax on residents.
Uys said the plan is to tax every single resident who cannot afford to use the metro's rubbish collectors, at R500 per month, by forcing them to pay R200 per month in the form of a City Cleansing Levy.
'Private waste collectors already pay a fee to utilise the metro's dumping grounds, and those using private collectors will now pay double. Those who cannot afford the metro's rates will be penalised for being poor.
'R20-million is allocated to pay for an advisor, who will facilitate transactions, getting the Rooiwal and Pretoria West Power Stations operated privately. However, the fine print makes it clear that there is no plan to rid Tshwane of Eskom's 93c/KwA Wheeling tariff,' said Uys.
She said no independent power producer will be able to sell electricity at the loss this tariff causes.
'The deputy mayor, in his budget speech, celebrated that the water woes of Ikageng are over. In Ikageng, the taps are dry, but water tankers can be found everywhere. This budget has almost doubled the Water and Sanitation Department's water tanker budget.'
As Tshwane navigates its financial recovery, the effectiveness of the implemented measures and the administration's commitment to equitable service delivery will remain under scrutiny.
Godwin Ratikwane of the EFF commended the MMC of Finance for presenting an improved budget that directly addresses long-standing social injustices raised by communities in the township and informal settlements.
He said this budget 'reflects a decisive departure from the neglect of the past administrations and stands as a testament to the party's commitment to uplift the marginalised and make it great again'.
'The fully funded budget backed by the National Treasury is a clear signal that this administration is not merely making hollow promises, but taking concrete steps to transformative change.
'Let it be known that the R1.7-billion allocated to emergency services will revitalise the department, long neglected, and address the communities and the staff shortages that have jeopardised public safety,' said Ratikwana.
LISTEN:
ActionSA's Tshepo Modiba said this budget is not just a compliance exercise but a plan for inclusive development, service delivery, acceleration, and financial resilience.
'It gives life to the service delivery priorities we have set as a collective. It is a budget that passes both the test of legality and the test of vision.
'We acknowledge that the majority of revenue comes from service charges, and we are strengthening the social package to protect the vulnerable. This budget ensures we maintain the balance between financial stability, sustainability, and social responsibility,' said Modiba.
FF Plus councillor Grandi Theunissen rejected the budget and said it places a financial burden on residents, businesses, and property owners.
He said instead of the budget fostering growth and stability, it prioritises revenue, extraction over ethical governance, disregards economic realities and fails to uphold financial justice.
'The new valuation role has caused property values to increase for an average of 24.17%, drastically increasing municipal tax obligations, the metro claims to soften the impact by 4%, and adjusting the threshold from R150 000 to R250 000.
'The controversial city cleaning levy unfairly targets households and businesses that do not rely on municipal waste collection, forcing them to pay for services that they do not use. This levy amounts to double taxation,' he said.
LISTEN:
Modise said the passing of the budget by the council marks a turning point for Tshwane's financial governance and service delivery capabilities.
'The approval of this budget restores credibility to the city's institutional capacity and sends a clear message that Tshwane is moving forward with purpose, discipline, and unity of vision.
'This outcome reflects extensive work behind the scenes, from council engagements to technical planning, all in service of building a city that works better for its people,' Modise said.
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