Eugene Modise, Deputy Mayor of Tshwane. (Photo: X)
As tempers run high among residents of the capital over persistent power outages and increasing water problems in the Tshwane metro area, those in charge of the city’s finances appear to be putting their own interests ahead of those of taxpayers.
Cilliers Brink, the DA’s mayoral candidate for Tshwane, has sharply criticized the metro’s new budget for the 2026-27 financial year, saying it is “unbelievable” and “unfunded”.
According to Brink, it is significant that Dr. Nasiphi Moya, mayor of Tshwane, moreover, did not deliver the budget speech himself.
“She is trying to distance herself from an unbelievable and unfunded budget. Moya entrusted the finances of the country’s capital to her ANC counterpart, Eugene Modise – a ‘tenderpreneur’ who illegally benefits from city contracts.
“Now she wants to remove herself from what he has started in this position,” says Brink.
Brink is referring to a finding against Modise last month regarding a contract between the metro and Triotic Protection Services, a company in which, according to the DA, Modise has an interest.
“Modise was found guilty last month because he failed to disclose his interest in a contract between the municipality and Triotic Protection Services. But thanks to political protection by the ANC, EFF and ActionSA, he only received a light sentence,” says Brink.
Eugene Modise, Deputy Mayor of Tshwane. (Photo: X)
Although two months of Modise’s salary were withheld, according to Brink, he still benefits from the metro’s contract with Triotic Protection Services, a contract which is believed to have been irregularly extended.
Brink says Tshwane’s financial management has deteriorated drastically since the ANC-led coalition’s takeover of the metro.
“Water losses have risen from 32% to 41%, while spending on water tankers has reached levels not seen anywhere else in the country. ANC politicians, including Modise, have significant interests in these water tankers.”
According to him, electricity losses have also increased sharply – from R1.87 billion to R3.2 billion. Brink says this contributes to prolonged power outages in residential and industrial areas such as East Lynne, Pretoria West, Silverton and Waltloo.
According to Brink, the metro’s revenue collection fell from 93% to 83% at the same time.
“In the current financial year, Tshwane has already collected R1.75 billion less than what was projected,” he says.
The DA also believes that Tshwane’s budget, like Johannesburg’s, is not properly funded and relies on unrealistic income projections and an underestimation of liabilities.
Brink believes the budget for water tankers is one of the biggest obstacles.
“The city has already exceeded its budget for water tankers by hundreds of millions of rand in the current financial year. In other words, the city is actually budgeting for unauthorized expenses.”