Thokozile Mnguni
The African National Congress (ANC) in Ekurhuleni accused the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of lacking commitment to service delivery and improving lives after opposing the 2026/27 budget.
The dispute follows a council sitting at OR Tambo Government Precinct in Germiston, where the EFF, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus, voted against the budget.
ANC welcomed and supported a “bold, progressive, people-centred and service delivery-driven budget” tabled by MMC for Finance and Strategy, Jongizizwe Dlabathi.
In a statement, it said it is confident the R71 billion budget is “fully compliant with legislative requirements, funded and responsive to community needs.”
“This budget is not merely a financial instrument; it is a practical programme aimed at restoring dignity, accelerating service delivery, improving infrastructure, stimulating economic growth and enhance quality of life for residents,” said deputy secretary of the ANC in Ekurhuleni, Moipone Mhlongo.
EFF aligning with DA and FF Plus “exposes a contradiction between its rhetoric and actions in Council.”
“It demonstrates disregard for public participation, including engagements with residents, stakeholders and organised labour such as SAMWU and IMATU,” she added.
She said residents deserve clarity on the budget’s intent and impact.
“People of Ekurhuleni deserve to know that this budget reflects their priorities and by opposing it, these parties have turned their backs on the voices of residents who participated in consultations and expressed their urgent need for improved service delivery.”
“The ANC-led government remains unwavering in its commitment to clean governance, accelerated service delivery, economic transformation and developmental local government.”
EFF rejected the budget, arguing it does not reflect the realities facing residents.
“Despite worsening financial position and repeated failures to meet revenue targets, the budget relies on unrealistic revenue projections while presenting itself as credible financial plan,” said provincial chairperson Nkululeko Dunga.
“A municipality that consistently fails to achieve revenue targets cannot budget on wishful thinking while communities bear the consequences of deteriorating service delivery.”
Dunga raised concerns over procedural changes after public participation closed.
“Among these changes was the introduction of the Ekurhuleni Development Agency with R15 million allocation and transfer of R62 million from the Service Delivery Coordination to the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO). Not administrative corrections but substantive changes altering spending priorities and institutional arrangements requiring oversight,” he said.
Budget fails to address reliance on outsourcing amid worsening service delivery conditions.
“Residents across Ekurhuleni experience collapsing roads, sewage spillages, water interruptions, electricity failures, illegal dumping, and deteriorating public infrastructure, and cannot be expected to pay more while receiving less.”