26/05/2026
MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
26 May 2026
RNM COUNCIL APPROVES 2026/2027 FINAL PEOPLE-CENTRED BUDGET
The Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Council has today, Tuesday, 26 May 2026, approved the Municipalityโs 2026/2027 Final Annual Budget during the 50th Ordinary Council Meeting held at the RNM Council Chambers.
The budget was presented by the Mayor of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Cllr PZ Mzindle, in what marked the final budget presentation of the current term of office ahead of the Local Government Elections scheduled for 04 November 2026.
Following the presentation, several Councillors from different political parties commended the Mayor for the professional, detailed, and people-centred manner in which the budget was presented. Councillors further acknowledged the extensive public consultation process undertaken across various clusters of the municipality during April 2026, which assisted in shaping the final budget.
During deliberations, Councillors raised several clarity-seeking questions and concerns on various aspects of the budget, including whether the budget is fully funded, the allocation towards repairs and maintenance, as well as the high employee-related costs.
In response, clarity was provided that the Municipality remains committed to ensuring financial sustainability while continuing to balance service delivery obligations and operational realities facing local government institutions nationally.
Regarding repairs and maintenance, Council was informed that the allocation of 6.6% remains below the National Treasury norm of 8%, mainly due to reductions in operational expenditure necessitated by prevailing financial pressures. However, Provincial Treasury had been fully briefed on the matter and accepted the Municipalityโs explanation and approach under the current circumstances.
On employee-related costs, Council was informed that the budget makes provision for the nationally negotiated 4.75% salary increase agreement concluded through the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC), which municipalities are obligated to implement.
The approved 2026/2027 Final Budget reflects:
โ Total Revenue, including capital revenue, of approximately R1.556 billion
โ Total Operating Revenue of approximately R1.450 billion
โ Total Operating Expenditure of approximately R1.393 billion
โ A Capital Budget amounting to approximately R145.17 million.
Following robust engagement and debate by Councillors, two motions were tabled before Council โ one supporting the approval of the budget and the other opposing it.
The Speaker of Council, Cllr RP Gumbi, subsequently called for a vote.
The final outcome of the voting process was as follows:
โ 53 Councillors voted in favour of the approval of the budget
โ 14 Councillors voted against the approval of the budget
โ No abstentions were recorded.
Political parties that voted in support of the budget were:
โข African National Congress (ANC)
โข Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)
โข Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
โข African Independent Congress (AIC)
โข African Transformation Movement (ATM)
โข Justice and Employment Party (JEP)
โข UMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party).
The parties that voted against the budget were:
โข Democratic Alliance (DA) โ 13 votes
โข Freedom Front Plus (FF+) โ 1 vote.
The approval of the 2026/2027 Final Budget now paves the way for the implementation of key service delivery, infrastructure development, community upliftment, and local economic development programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality.
Issued by:
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Communications Unit
For Media Enquiries:
Mr Simon April
072 057 5387
