– DA questions budget credibility, affordability and sustainability.
– DA We demands answers on R14.8 million disaster recovery grant.
– We urge residents to register and vote for change.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally objected to the proposed 2026/27 budget of Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality.
The budget reflects a projected operating deficit of more than R68 million, while at the same time proposing more than R110 million in own-funded capital projects.
This raises serious questions about the credibility, affordability and sustainability of the budget. A municipality cannot present a deficit budget while committing to large own-funded capital expenditure unless it can clearly demonstrate that the budget is properly funded, cash-backed, and capable of being implemented without further weakening service delivery.
The DA is also demanding urgent answers regarding the R14.8 million Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant allocated to Ephraim Mogale Municipality by National Treasury and published in Government Gazette No. 54100.
Residents deserve to know:
- whether the money was received;
- which disaster-recovery projects were funded;
- how much has been spent or committed;
- whether any funds remain unspent; and
- why there is no clear disclosure in the budget presentation.
At a time when residents face deteriorating roads, infrastructure failures and ongoing service-delivery challenges, every rand must be transparently accounted for.
The DA believes municipal budgets must be funded, credible and transparent, as required by law. Budgets are not political wish lists. They are financial commitments to residents and must be backed by realistic revenue, proper planning and clear implementation.
The DA will continue to fight for clean governance, transparent finances and better services for all residents of Ephraim Mogale.
We urge residents to make use of the voter registration weekend scheduled for 20–21 June 2026 to ensure that they are registered to vote in the November municipal elections. Residents must be registered to vote for change.