The latest report on the state of South Africa’s municipalities (2024/25), released today by the Auditor-General, Ms Tsakani Maluleke, once again underscores the urgent need to remove the ANC from local government.
The extent of the damage inflicted on the country’s towns and cities through ANC policies, maladministration, and corruption is staggering.
Currently, 51% (123 municipalities) are technically bankrupt, with liabilities exceeding assets, while 72% (174 municipalities) continue to face severe and persistent cash flow challenges.
Service providers are routinely left unpaid, with devastating knock-on effects for local economies.
A total of 116 municipalities (45%) continue to approve unfunded budgets, effectively committing to R288 billion in expenditure without any means to finance it. This unlawful practice reflects a systemic failure of financial governance. It has, alarmingly, become normalised within ANC-run administrations, demonstrating a blatant disregard for both the law and the basic principles of responsible governance.
Furthermore, ANC negligence and the mismanagement of critical infrastructure resulted in water losses amounting to R14.7 billion and electricity losses exceeding R21 billion in the 2024/25 financial year.
Cadre deployment and the appointment of unqualified individuals to key financial positions have forced municipalities to rely heavily on consultants, at a staggering cost of R1.6 billion annually, merely to compile financial statements.
Yet even this costly intervention fails to deliver results: 61% of municipalities that employ these ANC-endorsed consultants still submit financial statements plagued by material errors and misrepresentations.
From the 2021/22 financial year to 2025, irregular municipal expenditure reached a staggering R145 billion. Of this total, R40.14 billion was incurred in the 2024/25 financial year alone.
The Auditor-General further underscored that a culture of lawlessness and weak accountability persists unabated. In the 2024/25 financial year, only 16% of municipalities met the statutory requirements for sound financial and budget management.
While the Auditor-General’s findings are not unexpected, the magnitude of the damage caused by ANC mismanagement and corruption – both in its impact and in the financial losses involved – remains deeply alarming.
It is a profound disgrace that the ANC continues its pattern of looting and destruction across South Africa’s towns and cities, displaying blatant contempt for residents and the hardship imposed on them.
For the sake of the country’s prosperity and long-term survival, it is imperative that voters mobilise in the upcoming elections to decisively remove the ANC from local government.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) remains steadfast in its commitment to fight for communities’ right to live in a corruption-free environment and to restore ethical, effective municipal service delivery throughout South Africa.
Freedom Front Plus Parliamentary Presence: It has seats in the National Assembly and various provincial legislatures.
deano
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Vortex
Fun South African Fact: It’s a holiday destination like no other! Looking for a beach holiday? South Africa has sunshine, sea and golden beaches. Seeking a safari adventure? South Africa is home to astonishing wildlife and game reserves. Keen for an escape into wine country? South Africa’s Cape Winelands are waiting to be explored! On top of all of this, you can discover cosmopolitan cities and quaint seaside towns. Or, drive through breathtaking mountain passes and travel along dusty, desert roads.