03/06/2026
DA rejects unfunded Merafong budget that threatens service delivery@
by Cllr Carlos Rebelo - DA Mayoral Candidate in the Merafong City Local Municipality
Date: 02 June 2026
During a Special Council Meeting held on 27 May 2026, the Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus in the Merafong City Local Municipality voted against the proposed 2026/2027 municipal budget.
The DA, together with other opposition parties, rejected the budget due to serious concerns that it is unfunded and may not comply with the requirements of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). The proposed budget is based on a projected revenue collection rate of 65%, despite the municipality consistently achieving collection rates closer to 50%, raising significant concerns about the credibility and sustainability of the budget.
A municipality cannot continue to approve budgets in which operational expenditure far exceeds realistic operational income, while residents are expected to accept deteriorating services, infrastructure collapse, and ongoing financial instability. Adopting such a budget exposes Merafong to audit findings and possible Treasury intervention.
Furthermore, this budget confirms that this ANC-run municipality has no credible, funded recovery plan, nor the financial capacity, to put a stop to Merafong’s service delivery crisis. Residents are left with the consequences of years of ANC neglect, lack of maintenance and poor financial management.
Under a DA-led government, Merafong will focus on improving revenue collection, strengthening financial management, and cutting wasteful expenditure to restore the municipality's finances and get service delivery back on track.
