City kicks off draft budget, IDP consultations
Following a postponement, the much-awaited IDP consultations have kicked off. The residents, ratepayers and business community will be informed of how the City will be unpacking the year's R7b purse, and allocations for various departments and services.
THE City of eThekwini’s 2025/26 draft IDP/Budget consultations began this week on a high note with the business sector and ratepayers’ associations. These were the first two of multiple consultations in all regions that will follow in the coming days.
The massive R71.3b draft budget comprises of an operating budget of R64.2b and a capital budget of R7.1b. It is set against various challenges and tough economic conditions. Themed “Infrastructure Building and Service Delivery Budget,” it is firmly focused on service delivery, rehabilitation and replacement of infrastructure, as well as economic development.
Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba, said that the consultations are critical to ensure that residents own their Municipality.
“This is your city. We take all inputs very seriously. You have the ability to shape the future of eThekwini.”
Also read: Ratepayers, opposition reject City R70b budget plan
About R859m has been allocated for electricity, and this will fund the ongoing extension and reinforcement of existing electricity networks, as well as 17 new substations that are being commissioned.
The capital budget for water is R1.15b and will be spent mainly on the water loss intervention programme and the replacement of water pipes.
Proposed tariff increases are 12.72% for electricity, 15% for domestic water customers and 16% for business customers. Sanitation is 13% for domestic and 14% for business, refuse removal is 9.9% for domestic and 9% for business. For property rates, the proposed tariff increase is 6.5%.
Xaba said, “This budget will focus on the provision of uninterrupted supply of basic services by improving the city’s infrastructure. Asset management plans are being implemented for repairing, rehabilitating and replacing our infrastructure over the short, medium and long term.”
Residents are urged to keep an eye on the City’s social media pages, as well as their local media, for information on the budget hearings in their area.
The engagements will conclude on May 14 and after considering all inputs, the draft IDP/Budget will be adopted on May 22.
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