Municipal draft budget approved despite objection

Ngwathe’s draft budget for the new financial year was forced through council by the ANC majority last Friday, controversially and despite strong objections from both the DA and the Freedom Front Plus.

The two parties have often complained about “late notices and incomplete documentation” to councillors before meetings.
When this happened again last week, Cllr Phillip van der Merwe (Freedom Front Plus caucus leader) wrote to Spea-ker Mopedi, asking her to call off and reschedule the meeting, or risk acting in contempt of court.

He was supported within hours by the DA’s caucus whip, Cllr Small Sehume, who complained that councillors were being rushed to make important decisions on the new budget.

Despite the appeals the meeting was held on Friday.

Friday’s meeting approved the draft budget for public participation during the weeks ahead.

Service rates are proposed to increase with 5.3%, except for electricity, which might increase by 18.7 % as a result of increases already announced by Eskom (and subject to approval by NERSA, the energy regulator).

Property rates are also in for a planned 7.3% increase.

The full budget proposals are open for inspection at all municipal offices, and on Ngwathe’s official municipal website.
At the meeting Mr T Ngesi was introduced as the acting municipal manager (MM).

He will serve while Ngwathe recruits a new MM to replace Ms Baleni, who unexpectedly resigned a month ago.
Mr Ngesi was seconded to Ngwathe by the Free State Provincial government.