Members of the Tshwane Metro Council shortly before the council meeting began. (Photo: Tania Heyns/Maroela Media)
The Tshwane Metro Council approved its budget for the 2026-27 financial year on Thursday. This is the second fully funded budget tabled and passed under the multi-party coalition government.
According to the metro, the budget meets the requirements of the Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA) and has been endorsed as funded and compliant by the national treasury.
Among other things, the budget prioritizes the upgrading of water and electricity infrastructure, roads and water systems, waste management, public safety, housing and economic development.
Eugene Modise, Tshwane’s mayoral committee member for finance, says the budget reflects the needs highlighted by residents during public participation processes.
“This budget shows our joint commitment to restore financial stability, invest in infrastructure, strengthen internal capacity and ensure that public resources are used for programs that benefit communities across Tshwane,” says Modise.
He thanked residents, councilors and stakeholders for their participation in the budget process.
Cilliers Brink presented his version of the state of affairs in Tshwane on Wednesday. (Photo: Christine Oelofse/Maroela Media)
Budget “budget for failure” – DA
However, the DA sharply criticized the budget.
According to Cilliers Brink, the DA’s mayoral candidate in Tshwane, the budget is based on unrealistic assumptions.
“The budget overestimates the municipality’s income, underestimates its expenses and is based on arithmetical blindness,” says Brink.
He warns that a large long-term loan is due before the end of June and could deplete the metro’s cash reserves.
“In other words, the ANC and its puppet mayor are budgeting for failure. The effect of an unfunded budget is that none of the promises made by the mayor are credible.”
According to Brink, this is “bad news for taxpayers”, although according to him residents will have the opportunity to express their opinion at the ballot box on 4 November.
Grandi Theunissen and Willie Spies from the FF Plus in Tshwane. (Photo: Tania Heyns/Maroela Media)
FF Plus: Budget out of touch with reality
The FF Plus also rejected the budget, saying it did not reflect the metro’s actual financial position or service delivery challenges.
Mark Surgeon, FF Plus councilor in the Tshwane metro council, says the administration is still relying on optimistic revenue projections without meaningful reforms to stabilize the metro’s finances.
“The party did not support the budget and made it clear that the document is not in touch with reality,” says Surgeon.
He also points to ongoing problems with procurement and supply chain management.
According to the FF Plus, the budget is used to pursue short-term political goals rather than to ensure sustainable management and basic service delivery.
The party believes Tshwane should instead focus on better revenue collection, preventive maintenance of infrastructure, stronger financial control and improved service delivery to prevent further financial and operational pressure.