Please find attached soundbites in English by Gerhard Strydom
Please find attached soundbites in Afrikaans by Gerhard Strydom
– Matlosana’s proposed 2026/27 budget remains unfunded and financially unsustainable,
– Proposed tariff increases are not supported by credible evidence and will place further strain on residents,
– The DA calls for a realistic, transparent, and fully funded budget that priorities service delivery and restores financial stability.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) cannot support the proposed 2026/27 Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) budget for the City of Matlosana in its current form.
The budget was unsuccessfully tabled on 27 May 2026 and again on 10 June 2026 after sufficient support for its approval could not be secured. A follow-up meeting will now be held within seven days to reconsider the budget.
The DA made it clear that this budget remains unfunded and fails to provide a credible path towards financial sustainability. Despite significant tariff increases being proposed, there is no convincing evidence that these increases are cost-reflective. Instead, they appear to be arbitrary figures that will place an even greater burden on residents who are already struggling under difficult economic conditions.
Approving yet another unfunded budget will only deepen Matlosana’s financial crisis. It will further weaken service delivery, delay critical infrastructure maintenance, and leave residents paying more while receiving less.
The proposed budget is severely unfunded and lacks sufficient cash backing. Its sustainability relies heavily on assumptions relating to debt relief benefits and improved debt collection. However, Matlosana’s poor debt collection record over many years raises serious concerns about the municipality’s ability to achieve these targets. With the 2026 Local Government Elections approaching, it also remains to be seen whether there is sufficient political will to take decisive action against all non-payers.
The continued tabling of unfunded budgets is not only irresponsible — it is unsustainable. Residents deserve a realistic, transparent, and fully funded budget that prioritises service delivery, restores financial stability, and puts the municipality on a path to recovery.
Until such a budget is presented, the DA cannot support the proposed 2026/27 MTREF budget.