Please find attached soundbites in English by Mduduzi Maphanga
– DA raises concerns over unfunded salary-related adjustment in the budget,
– The budget was adopted despite warnings from the DA and the Provincial Audit Committee,
– The decision would result in an irregular audit finding against the municipality.
During the Special Council Meeting held on 12 June 2026, the Democratic Alliance (DA) raised concerns regarding the adjustment budget, as the unfunded budget did not include the upward projected R10.1 million to ensure the municipality can comply with salary obligations at its graded level.
This follows the DA again raising concerns with the Provincial Audit Committee that it would be difficult for the municipality to meet these obligations given its financial constraints.
Despite the DA’s clear advice that the job evaluation task and its financial implications should be addressed prior to adopting the adjustment budget, the budget was nonetheless adopted. Executive Mayor Thabo Jacobs and Acting Municipal Manager Andrew Pholose indicated that the adjustments can be done after the adoption, despite the Provincial Audit Committee indicating that such a move would result in an irregular audit finding against the municipality.
The consequence of such poor planning will result in further degradation of service delivery, as the municipality risks implementing salary increments to meet legislative requirements without securing the required funding.
The DA urges residents to register and unite behind the DA for a government that plans better, holds officials accountable, and executes effectively.