Controversy reigns over the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality (TMDM), which requires an adjustment budget to prioritise municipal service delivery, as the current budget falls short of meeting these critical needs.
At the council meeting that took place in Clarens on 31 January, there was great opposition to the proposed and amended budget.
The TMDM adjustment budget proposes an immediate 2,5% salary increase for employees, adding to the already inflated salary bill of R111 521 845, constituting 60,5% of the approved budget. Acting allowances incurred an unbudgeted expense of R136 415. An additional R306 983 is sought, leaving the municipality with a R170 568 budget balance for the year, earmarked for acting positions.
Although the council welcomed the allocation of R4 million for pothole repairs and maintenance, the construction of the budgeted R10 million for bridges has not commenced, and the reallocation of R5 263 225 lacks clarity on its destination or if bridge construction will proceed.
Marius Marais, DA councillor in the TMDM, says communities endure severe hardship due to deplorable service delivery, including improper waste disposal, compromised water supply, collapsed sewerage systems, and inconsistent electricity supply – which are all consequences of poor planning and maintenance.
“Shockingly, this budget aims to reduce funding for general maintenance, exacerbating the adverse effects on our communities. It displays an upward trend in the total budget for the 2023 to 2024 financial year, indicating total mismanagement and overspending.”
