Endumeni Municipality has been granted another reprieve by the Provincial Government after constantly failing to pass the 2026/27 budget.

Several deadlines have passed, but KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers has announced that councillors now have until July 31 to adopt a legally compliant and funded budget.

The municipality has failed five times to pass its budget, most recently during a council meeting on July 13.

Treasury seeks urgent solution

Rodgers has requested an urgent meeting with Endumeni Mayor Mcebo Mkhize to determine the reasons for the ongoing impasse and to help find a way forward before the new deadline.

The DA and ANC councillors on the Endumeni Council have remained steadfast that the budget is unfunded, does not deliver on service delivery mandates and that no changes have been done since it was first tabled in May.

Alan Schonken of the Endumeni Chamber of Business said the Chamber also does not agree with the budget with the Eskom debt outstripping the municipality’s projected revenue.

The KwaZulu-Natal Treasury said it remains available to assist the municipality in preparing a credible budget that complies with the Municipal Finance Management Act.

“The approval of a funded and legally compliant budget is critical to ensuring sound governance and sustainable service delivery,” Rodgers said.

Administration looms

The extension comes with a strong warning from the provincial government.

Rodgers said that should Endumeni fail to adopt a budget by July 31, the province will invoke Section 139(4) of the Constitution.

This would result in the municipality being placed under administration, with the provincial government assuming responsibility for the budget process and key aspects of municipal governance.

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