The Ekurhuleni Metro will table a revised budget for the 2026/2027 financial year to the Council on Thursday, 11 June 2026.
The budget that was initially proposed failed to secure sufficient support during a council meeting on 4 June 2026, after the Freedom Front Plus voted against it.
The Freedom Front Plus recognises the Metro’s constitutional obligation to adopt a funded budget, but believes a budget must not only be legally compliant, but also realistic, affordable and in residents’ best interest.
The biggest concern is that the initial budget is based on a collection rate of 90%, while residents are already under severe economic pressure.
The budget briefing indicated that residents will face tariff increases of 11% for water, 8,35% for sanitation, up to 9,01% for electricity, 3,4% for refuse removal and 2% for property rates, but at the same time, the budget highlights the challenges of unemployment, poor economic growth and mounting financial pressure on households.
More than R14,2 billion was budgeted for employee-related costs, R24,36 billion for bulk electricity, approximately R7,9 billion for contracted services and R6,54 billion for debt write-down.
Although the proposed increase in repair and maintenance expenditure, bringing it to R4,66 billion, is welcomed, the question remains whether residents will actually receive better service delivery.
The Freedom Front Plus believes that residents should not have to keep paying more, while service delivery falls short in many areas.
On 4 November, residents have the opportunity to vote for the Freedom Front Plus – and an accountable and service-oriented government in Ekurhuleni.
