LIMPOPO – The DA in the Capricorn District Municipality says it will not attend today’s State of the District Address (SODA), arguing that the event’s cost cannot be justified while residents continue to face service delivery challenges.

Reason for the boycott

DA caucus leader in the district, Bianca Mocke, said the party decided to boycott the event because it believes the address has become more of a political exercise than a platform for accountability.

According to the DA, the SODA event is expected to cost approximately R457 000.

Mocke argued that public funds should instead be directed towards addressing infrastructure and service delivery concerns across the district, including water shortages and failing sanitation systems.

The party cited Section 195 of the Constitution, which requires public administration to make efficient, economic and effective use of resources, saying the municipality should have considered lower-cost alternatives.

The DA further claimed the expenditure comes at a time when the municipality has acknowledged that four sanitation plants in the district are not operational.

“Urgent interventions are needed to restore sanitation services and strengthen water infrastructure instead of spending on large-scale events,” said Mocke.

Budget concerns

The DA added that it voted against the municipality’s 2026/27 Budget and Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF), arguing that the budget does not sufficiently prioritise service delivery or long-term financial sustainability.

Among its concerns, the party said the municipality’s salary bill stands at approximately 42%, above National Treasury’s recommended benchmark of below 40%, while challenges remain around revenue collection, maintenance and investment in sanitation infrastructure.

The party reiterated its call for greater focus on water provision, sanitation, infrastructure maintenance and accountable governance in Capricorn District.