Latest news with #MediumTermRevenueandExpenditureFramework
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!
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]
