RNM rubber-stamps 2022/23 budget

Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) tabled and approved its annual budget on Tuesday this week, after the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Inkatha Freedom Party wanted clarity on some items.

The approved operating budget is R1 204 628 000 and the capital budget is R183-m.

Property rates have been adjusted upwards by 4.8%. In the draft budget tabled in April the electricity service charges were proposed to increase by 9.6% but have now been adjusted to 7.47%.

Mayor Skhumbuzo Zero Mqadi said that this is in consideration of comments received during budget roadshows.

Waste management service charges have been adjusted upwards by 4.8%.

Initially, Cllr George Henderson of the Democratic Alliance (DA) did not approve the budget because money set aside for roads was minimal. He said RNM should be prioritising roads.

Municipal manager Max Mbili explained that as there are doubts that there will be an Ugu Jazz Festival, so the money used to sponsor the festival will be used for roads.

Councillor Michael Mkhize of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said they will abstain from approving the budget because service delivery does not go to the people of their party and that he does not trust that the municipality will use the money accordingly.

“When an EFF member is in need of help and we send them to ward councillors they are told that they should tell the EFF and for that reason we will abstain.”

All councillors besides the EFF agreed on and approved the budget.

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