The DA and Freedom Front Plus opposed the budget tabled last week, but the budget was pushed through with 32 votes in favour and 30 against after a gruelling three hours in council.

The Freedom Front Plus said the municipality is bleeding resources dry while its infrastructure is collapsing.

The DA raised serious concerns about the municipality’s financial position, unrealistic revenue assumptions, and its intention to pass a budget that was unfunded by R10.1b.

The municipality based the budget on a collection target of 70% to 75%, but in reality, its collection rate remains below 50%.

Sharon Schlachter of the Freedom Front Plus said the municipality loses approximately 50% of its water and 35% of its electricity before it can even be billed.

The DA’s Lizelle Steyn said, “DA in eMalahleni is against the fact that the ANC-led municipality chose to strain already strained household budgets, rather than devise a strategy that addresses water losses, improves revenue generation and repairs infrastructure.”

She said the DA will never adopt an unrealistic budget that fails to put residents first, and fails to propose solid solutions to the financial crisis eMalahleni is in.

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Schlachter said the Freedom Front Plus refuses to endorse a budget based on fictional funds and that exploits taxpayers.

• No comment was received from the municipality by the time of going to print.

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