The FF Plus has rejected the proposed 2026/27 budget of the Msukaligwa Local Municipality, describing it as financially unrealistic and unsustainable.

According to the party, the municipality faces an operating budget shortfall of more than R542 million, while consumer debt has exceeded R1.5 billion and the collection rate remains at just 74%.

The FF Plus argues that these factors, together with substantial electricity and water losses, make the budget financially unsustainable.

The FF Plus also raised concerns about consumer debt exceeding R1.5 billion, a collection rate of just 74%, and significant electricity and water losses linked to illegal connections, theft and vandalism.

The proposed budget includes tariff increases of 6% for water, 7.7% for sanitation, 12.7% for electricity and 23.5% for refuse removal.

The party said it could not support a budget that fails to address financial and service delivery challenges affecting residents across Ermelo, Breyten, Chrissiesmeer, Lothair and Davel.

Questions were sent to Mandla Zwane, spokesperson of the Msukaligwa Municipality, the publication will include his response, once received.

Read more about the municipality’s debt impairment figures, Auditor-General findings, infrastructure losses and the FF Plus’ proposed interventions in the Highvelder’s printed edition.