The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) rejects the proposal that the Gauteng provincial government should take control of the Ekurhuleni Metro’s equity share for public libraries.
Such a move would merely create yet another underfunded mandate that the Metro cannot sustain.
A report tabled during the latest council meeting recommends that Ekurhuleni sign an agreement with the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation. Such an agreement would enable the province to manage the equity share directly. Gauteng has confirmed an allocation of R14 million and a transfer of R9,25 million for the 2025/26 year.
The Freedom Front Plus welcomes additional funding, but rejects any arrangement that cedes the Metro’s control over its library network to the province.
Ekurhuleni has already seen how services collapse when provincial mandates are imposed without adequate funding – clinic services serve as a good example.
When the province assumes control, local accountability disappears, maintenance is delayed, staff shortages worsen, resources dwindle and facilities deteriorate.
The Freedom Front Plus demands that the Metro remain in control of library funding and management, and has, therefore, rejected the above proposal.
Residents deserve reliable, functional and locally accountable library services.
