Emfuleni slashes its adjustment budget by R1,4 billion

VAAL TRIANGLE - The Freedom Front Plus in Emfuleni says the radical reduction of R1,4 billion in the 2023/24 adjustment budget of the Emfuleni Local Municipality (could once again result in the Municipality having to adopt an unfunded budget on 31 May this year. FF Plus Emfuleni Councilor, Gerda Senekal, said in a statement this would be the sixth consecutive unfunded budget. However, this time, the Gauteng government could decide to place the Municipality under section-139 administration and dissolve the Council. Senekal says the reason for the reduction is failure to comply with a court ruling from June 2023 which determined that Eskom should handle all power supply and related services. Rand Water will also take over water supply from the Municipality. This means as from 1 July this year, residents will only have to pay the Municipality for assessment rates and refuse removal services. The FF Plus enquired whether residents will still receive their utility bills as usual or whether each entity will issue its own bill to householders. The party also enquired whether the bulk service providers will pay the Municipality a fee for using its infrastructure. A report on the matter was requested.

PHOTO: (FF Plus)