Endumeni’s budget conundrum was on the table when KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers met with Mayor Councillor Mcebo Mkhize, councillors and municipal officials to discuss the municipality’s failure to adopt its 2026/27 budget – a breach of the Municipal Finance Management Act.

Support offered

Senior officials from KwaZulu-Natal Treasury and the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs attended the meeting and reaffirmed their commitment to helping the municipality develop a credible, funded budget.

Endumeni’s executive committee was there, comprising Mayor Mkhize (IFP), Salim Abdool (DA) and Zitha Shelembe (ANC).

Discussions covered a proposed plan to address the municipality’s R500-million Eskom debt, which will be submitted to the council for consideration.

Rodgers said residents deserve a municipality focused on sound financial management and reliable service delivery.

The DA and ANC have constantly rejected the budget since it was tabled in May, citing that it failed to address service delivery issues, is unfunded and is not ‘acceptable’. Opposition councillors also want the controversial Disaster Relief Report saga tabled, wherein it is alleged money – meant for disaster relief in the Wasbank and Glencoe areas, following December’s storm – was siphoned off.

July 31 deadline

The MEC reminded councillors that the Government of Provincial Unity has set July 31 as the deadline to adopt a credible budget. Failure to do so will result in the council being dissolved and an administrator being appointed.

He urged councillors to put residents first and work together to resolve the impasse and secure the municipality’s financial future.

Councillor Abdool told the Courier that the DA had submitted ‘budget alternative proposals’ to the MEC with the Eskom payment plan paramount. “He also made a note of our concerns over the Disaster Relief report, which has not been tabled despite being completed months ago.”

Indigent relief is available – Councillor

He added that the 100 units of electricity a month for the indigent has been restored ‘despite some opposition from officials who claimed that the non-passing of the budget was preventing this’.\

“The funds for this are from the Equitable Share and fall under National Treasury, not our municipal budget per se.

“Residents registered for the municipality’s indigent relief programme are urged to visit the municipal offices to access the benefits available to qualifying households.

These benefits include:
• 100 units of free electricity
• Refuse removal exemption
• Rates reduction

“Residents who experience any difficulties with their applications are encouraged to contact their ward councillor for assistance,” he said.

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