The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) did not support the Ekurhuleni Metro’s revised budget for the 2026/27 financial year as the party’s main objections to the budget have still not been resolved. The assumptions on which the budget is based are simply unrealistic given the current economic climate, high unemployment rate and mounting financial pressure on households.
Although the ANC coalition claims the budget is funded, credible and sustainable, it hinges on a highly questionable 90% collection rate and projects a surplus of R1,523 billion. The Freedom Front Plus has serious misgivings about these projected figures.
Moreover, a proposed R500 million in bridging finance raises the serious question of why loans are needed at all if the budget is indeed fully funded.
The Freedom Front Plus voted against the budget primarily because it places unnecessary and excessive financial pressure on already heavily burdened residents through the following tariff hikes:
• 11% for water
• 8,35% for sanitation
• 8,76% to 9,01% for electricity
• 3,4% for refuse removal
• an additional 2% for property rates
In the Freedom Front Plus’s view, the 2% increase in property rates, in particular, is entirely unnecessary.
The Metro can easily make up this deficit by curbing electricity and water losses, taking decisive action against illegal connections, and implementing better credit control and debt collection processes.
Instead of simply increasing tariffs, the Metro Council should proactively engage with NERSA, Rand Water and other stakeholders to alleviate the pressure of rising costs on consumers.
Seeing as the proposed budget was not adopted as it failed to secure sufficient support, due to opposition from the Freedom Front Plus and other parties, the Executive Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, and the Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Jongizizwe Dlabathi, are now legally obliged to table another revised budget to the Council for consideration within seven days.
Ekurhuleni residents deserve and need a budget that is realistic and affordable, with a targeted focus on service delivery.
Therefore, voters should seize the opportunity on 4 November 2026 to vote for the Freedom Front Plus in the local government elections so that the party can keep enforcing financial discipline and promoting taxpayers’ interests.
