Ekurhuleni Fails to Table a Budget That Puts Residents First for the Fourth Time

The ANC-led coalition in Ekurhuleni has failed to present a budget that prioritises the interests of residents. As a result, ActionSA has, for the fourth time, rejected the proposed budget. ActionSA has consistently and in good faith communicated its position on the budget.

Given the coalition’s failure to incorporate these demands into the final budget, we cannot, in good conscience, support a budget that does not serve the people of Ekurhuleni.

We reiterate that for ActionSA to support this budget, two fundamental conditions must be met.  First, we demand a budget that gives effect to Council’s resolution to insource workers and reduce reliance on contracted services.  Second, there must be no increases to tariff categories, except for regulated adjustments such as the NERSA-approved 9.01% electricity tariff hike.

To the workers of Ekurhuleni: ActionSA acknowledges that this process has been frustrating. However, the fight for insourcing is a fight for the dignity and security of every worker exploited in the City of Ekurhuleni.

The principle of insourcing was resolved by Council as early as 2021. What remains outstanding is implementation. ActionSA remains committed to ensuring that resolution is realized for the benefit of all municipal workers.

We further remind workers that the 600 jobs announced by the Executive Mayor in 2025 were reduced by half during the 2026 Adjustment Budget.  Let it be clear: should this budget fail to appropriate funds for insourcing, there will be no insourcing in the next financial year.  ActionSA therefore demands that this budget contain a clear commitment to insource in the next financial year, with positions advertised as early as July 2026.

ActionSA remains ready to support a budget that balances the financial sustainability of the municipality with the realities faced by its residents. Until that balance is achieved, our position remains unchanged.

ActionSA Funzi Ngobeni (KZN Provincial Chairperson) Governance Expert: Served as the MMC for Finance in Johannesburg under Mashaba. The Mission: Tasked with growing ActionSA’s footprint in KwaZulu-Natal, a notoriously difficult and contested political landscape.