Political parties deem the 2022/2023 budget unfunded and unsustainable

Following the budget speech that took place on Thursday, 30 June 2022, The DA (Democratic Alliance), FF plus (Freedom Front Plus), as well as the PA (Patriotic Alliance), did not approve of the R2,378 billion budgeted for 2022/2023 because they say it is unfunded and unsustainable.

39 members accepted the budget while 28 did not approve. The DA raised its concern about the almost R300 million deficit, supported by the Auditor-General’s annual report for JB Marks recording a R120 million deficit in the 2020/21 financial year. According to Cllr Chris Hattingh,  the ANC and EFF joined forces in council to get the unfunded budget for the 2022/23 financial year approved and adopted. “Allegedly with the help of a doctored North West Provincial Treasury letter,” he said.  

DA Councillor Johni Steenkamp debating against the adoption of the budget quoted extensively from the official Treasury letter but the debate deteriorated when another version of this letter was availed to councillors. A conversation with Treasury revealed that the second version was allegedly fraudulently changed from “budget is unfunded and unsustainable” to budget is funded and sustainable” to mislead the council into believing that the budget complies with finance legislation and Treasury regulations. The DA says following the incident, they will pursue charges of fraud.

The executive mayor, Gaba Ka Qhele said that their focus is on putting members of the community first and increasing their engagement with them. “The budget is therefore funded and sustainable,” he said.

The VF Plus even ended up leaving the council meeting because they felt the speaker, Moithoesi Dassie made repeated irregular decisions. “She repeatedly ignored opposition speakers or made irregular decisions against the opposition. In her actions. Dassie repeatedly committed blatant violations of the municipality’s council rules and applicable municipal legislation. It is shameful that the speaker in this way not only tarnished the dignity of her office but undermined the credibility of the entire municipal council in the process,” Cllr Steyn-Du Toit said.

Marlene Steyn du Toit, FF Plus council member, is currently dealing with complaints about the forged letter presented to the council by the Mayor with the aim of pushing through the unfunded budget.

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) tabled a motion of no confidence in the mayor. “The PA voted against the budget because it didn’t conform to the legal prescripts, it was unrealistic and contains expenses that ignored the needs of the poor but indulged in numerous luxuries for political office bearers under the guise of being pro-poor. It is sad that the budget was passed after the ANC and EFF voted in favour of the budget,” Cllr Ryan Swarts said.