THE Ndumeni Municipality is at risk of being disbanded, which has come out on its own like a backpack and failed to pass its budget on time.
The municipality has been given a deadline of July 31 to pass this year’s budget or be dissolved.
This deadline was set when council officials met with the KwaZulu-Natal Finance Minister, Mr. Francois Rodgers.
The budget was supposed to be passed before the end of last month.
The Ndumeni Council has been trying to pass the budget for six times, but to no avail.
The Ndumeni Municipality is managed jointly by the IFP and the DA. IFP and DA do not agree with the allocation of money which is why the allocation is not passed.
In a statement, Rodgers said that they have made it clear that strict measures will be taken if the council fails to pass the budget by the deadline.
“The municipality will be dissolved and an administrator will be appointed. This is not what we want, but nothing will be done if the municipality fails to pass the budget.”
Rodgers urged councilors to put aside differences and prioritize the needs of the people of Ndumeni.
“People who care about political disputes. What people want is for the budget to be passed so that they can meet their needs.”
Rodgers said his Department and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Indigenous Affairs are willing to support the Ndumeni Municipality no matter what it needs.
This council is plagued with problems, it is in debt, including millions of rands owed to the electricity company, Eskom.
This council often receives negative reports from the Auditor.