Latest news with #MTREF
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
MLM expands CCTV, upgrades infrastructure in new budget rollout
Midvaal Local Municipality (MLM) is among the few municipalities in Gauteng to adopt a fully funded budget. This is after the unanimous decision to approve the 2025/2026 Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) and Integrated Development Plan. This means that MLM has enough capital to cover all planned expenditures, including operational and capital costs. According to MLM, the Draft Integrated Development Plan and MTREF came after months of consultations with various communities and stakeholders across the municipality. The Gauteng budget 2.0 for the 2025/26 financial year is R172.3b, an increase of some R886.6m from the budget tabled earlier this year. As Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, tabled the Gauteng budget 2.0 for the 2025/26 financial year recently, he raised a serious concern that only four municipalities in Gauteng have tabled funded budgets while the rest remain unfunded. According to the municipality, the R2b 2025/2026 MTREF was drafted with careful consideration of the challenging economic climate facing the people of Midvaal, as well as the wider challenges faced by South Africa. This, MLM believes, showcases a government that prioritises the well-being and interests of its residents. The revenue budgeted for the year is R2.126b, an increase of 9.79% over the current year's budgeted revenue. Key service delivery projects included in this budget is R69m to replace old asbestos pipes using the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG). Phase 3 of the electrification of Sicelo in Ext 5 (Silahliwe) continues. In previous budgets, MLM allocated funding for Phases 1 and 2 in Kuvukiland and Stand 118. A total of R26m will be geared towards the construction of a substation in Savanna City, which will increase electricity capacity to support future housing developments. 'A total of R27m has been set aside in the 2024/25 budget from loan finance for road rehabilitation and the conversion of gravel roads to tar. A further R22m is allocated in the 2025/26 financial year to continue with rehabilitation and gravel-to-tar upgrades.' Furthermore, the MLM said it will give rebates of 25% and 50% on property rates. 'The threshold for qualification has been extended to five times the value of the SASSA Old Age Pension Grant, which equates to approximately R11 000.' MLM reveals that it has procured two high-speed vehicles for crime prevention purposes. 'We have made provision for the employment of law enforcement officers who will drive these high-speed vehicles, working alongside our CCTV cameras and other safety mechanisms to curb criminal activities in our municipality. The rollout of CCTV cameras in the Western and Northern regions has commenced, while a significant portion of the budget is being used to maintain existing cameras.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Action promised on poor services
During a special council meeting, Rand West City Local Municipality adopted its annual budget, promising efficient service delivery and development going forward. • Also read: Residents voice fury over water issues Recently, the municipality held a meeting to adopt its Annual Midterm Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) or commonly known as the annual budget. The meeting saw key municipal leaders, including Executive Mayor William Matsheke, council Speaker Selina Moumakwe, Deputy Mayor Nontombi Molatlhegi and Chief Whip Mkhuseli Jokazi. According to municipal spokesperson Phillip Montshiwa, the MTREF was described as balanced, credible and fully funded. He added that it reflected good financial planning and responsible governance. 'The annual budget was adopted unanimously by all councillors and shared commitment to development and the well-being of residents. The adoption marks a key milestone in the budgeting cycle and lays a solid foundation for efficient service delivery and developmental projects in the upcoming financial period,' he concluded. Have your say by emailing the Randfontein Herald at randfonteinherald@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Eyewitness News
29-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
City of Ekurhuleni decides to insource essential services to strengthen internal capacity
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Ekurhuleni has finally decided to insource essential services, with 700 cleaners set to be given permanent contracts. The insourcing of workers has been a key debate in Ekurhuleni for years, with some parties believing the city needs to reduce its reliance on contractors. ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni budget: Residents to pay more for water, electricity, sanitation & refuse removal Finance MMC Jongizizwe Dlabathi announced during his budget speech on Thursday that the metro wanted to do away with outsourcing some essential services. Dlabathi said the city must strengthen its internal capacity. "This budget will give effect to the recruitment of 700 permanent cleaners and 290 permanent EMPD officers, who will look after our strategic offices and buildings. R303 million will be allocated over the MTREF towards equipping the staff with essential tools of trade, necessary to optimise performance."
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How Durban's R70. 9 billion budget aims to transform infrastructure and manage tariff adjustments
The eThekwini Municipality's R70.9 billion proposed 2025 and 2026 Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) budget is being scrutinised by ratepayer associations. The eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement said they still object to the proposed tariff increases outlined by the municipality. Image: Supplied The eThekwini Municipality's R70.9 billion proposed 2025/26 Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) budget is being scrutinised by ratepayer associations. The MTREF reports will be discussed at a council meeting on Monday for approval. The proposed budget was approved by the Executive Committee (EXCO) on Friday. The municipality stated that the budget is shaped by extensive public consultations and National Treasury guidelines and that the budget prioritises infrastructure reconstruction, following recent storm disasters. It said the budget strengthens trading services and the assurance of sustainable service delivery. The 2025/26 budget comprises a R63.6 billion operating budget and a R7.3 billion capital budget. A significant focus of this MTREF is the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged by recurring storms, with a 'build back better' approach to mitigate future risks. The budget also emphasises turnaround strategies for trading services to enhance efficiency and improve the quality of life of residents. Acknowledging the economic pressures on households, the municipality has revised several proposed tariff increases, following an extensive public participation process held from April 22 to May 17, 2025. Key adjustments for the 2025/26 financial year include: Assessment Rates: The increase was reduced from 6.5% to 5.9% Water Tariff: Residential increase reduced from 15% to 13%, and business from 16% to 14%. Sanitation Tariff: Residential increase reduced from 13% to 11%, and business from 14% to 12%. Refuse Tariff: Domestic increase reduced from 9.9% to 9% Electricity Tariff: Set at a 12.72% increase, as guided by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). The R7.3 billion capital budget will be funded through a combination of grants (R3.24 billion), internal funding (R2.06 billion), and external borrowing (R2 billion). The budget formulation process included comprehensive public hearings across all regions and engagement with various stakeholders, including business and traditional leaders, as well as opportunities for comment through multiple media platforms. The municipality stated that public concerns, such as high tariffs, road rehabilitation, housing project progress, and maintenance of social facilities, were taken into consideration, leading to amendments to the proposed budget. eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said that following a benchmarking engagement on April 23, the National Treasury found the budget to be credible, relevant, and sustainable, while noting areas for improvement in the Municipal Standard Chart of Accounts data. Asad Gaffar, chairman of the eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement, said they still object to the proposed tariff increases outlined by the municipality, in the context of a deepening affordability crisis, increasing resident debt, and ongoing failures in service delivery. Gaffar said the ERPM finds these proposed increases both indefensible and unsustainable. The ERPM concerns were affordability crisis, escalating debt levels, service delivery failures, and lack of accountability. It continues to push for oversight of contractor and municipal projects. 'All proposed tariff adjustments must be suspended until there is clear evidence of improved service delivery and proper use of current revenue. The municipality must provide full disclosure on how previous tariffs were allocated, with a detailed plan for how any future increases would be used,' Gaffar said. Ish Prahladh, from the eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association (ERRA), said they have submitted a lengthy list of objections concerning tariff increases from all the ERRA affiliates. [email protected]
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Proposed cleaning levy sparks legal challenge in Tshwane
AfriForum is challenging Tshwane's proposed R200 city cleaning levy, calling it unconstitutional and unfair. Tshwane Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise poses for a photograph at Tshwane House, 20 November 2024, following an interview with The Citizen. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen AfriForum has started legal action against the City of Tshwane to obtain clarification on the implementation of the proposed environmental, or city cleaning levy announced in the budget speech. Last week, the deputy mayor, MMC of finance Eugene Modise, announced the city's plans to implement the levy of approximately R200 per month from 1 July for all properties without a municipal waste account. AfriForum's local government affairs advisor Deidré Steffens said they submitted a request to obtain clarification on the city's plans regarding the levy in April, but received no reply. AfriForum submit to request clarification on levy plan 'On 24 April, AfriForum submitted its comments on the city's draft medium-term revenue and expenditure framework (MTREF) in which the levy was announced. 'Our legal team has made it clear that the draft MTREF containing details of the proposed levy contains material contradictions and gives excessive discretionary power to the municipal manager in the application of the levy. This creates unacceptable scope for abuse and arbitrary application,' she said. ALSO READ: Tshwane's R54.6bn budget draws mixed reactions According to Steffens, the implementation of the proposed levy would be contrary to Section 74(2) of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act, which requires that tariffs reflect the actual use of services and be applied fairly. Steffens said although the constitution required municipalities to promote the social and economic development of communities in their budgeting processes, this was not the case with the implementation of the levy. 'A non-revenue-generating service, such as a cleansing levy, is traditionally financed by property rates and if the city were to proceed with the proposed implementation of this levy, it would amount to double taxation. Cleansing levy traditionally financed by property rates 'It is unacceptable that a service that should be funded by property taxes is now being repackaged as a new levy, presumably to cover the metro's budget deficits. 'This is a blatant attempt to milk more revenue from already overtaxed residents,' she said. ALSO READ: Millions needed to fix Tshwane sinkholes AfriForum was prepared to approach the court if the city failed to provide the information by the deadline, Steffens said. Republican Conference of Tshwane councillor Lex Middelberg said the levy was a reintroduction of a similar city cleaning levy that was introduced in the 2017-8 MTREF but then abandoned. 'This cleaning levy is unconstitutional. The city conceded this and abandoned the cleaning levy in later MTREFs after the issue was raised by the Tshwane Money Matters Caucus in November 2017 with your predecessor in office at the time, with the minister of finance, the AGSA and the MEC for local government,' he said. Not a tariff for services rendered Middelberg said the cleaning levy was not a tariff for services rendered, but by its own definition an arbitrary tax raised on persons who do not consume the service. 'The cleaning levy is not raised to render a service, but to bulk up the city's coffers with additional revenue to be applied for other purposes than to clean the city,' he said. ALSO READ: Tshwane mayor faces outrage for Weskoppies Hospital power cut Tshwane's DA spokesperson for finance Jacqui Uys said they were also against the levies. Uys said the current waste collection in the city could cost residents up to 10% of their salaries. 'Instead of assisting poor households who cannot afford almost R500 per month for waste removal, the ANC-led City of Tshwane has opted to introduce a punitive tax of almost R200 on these households if they choose not to use the city's services,' she said. DA raises concerns 'The DA has also raised concerns about the newly introduced waste levy in the draft budget.' Uys said the intention of the new levy was not to ensure a cleaner city, but rather the introduction of yet another tax to use the residents of Tshwane as a stopgap to improve the city's financial position. NOW READ: Tshwane mayor under fire for downplaying pothole crisis
