On Thursday (26 February 2026), the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) joined up with other opposition parties and played a key role in blocking the Emfuleni Local Municipality’s adjustment budget.
The Council did not adopt the budget, largely due to sustained opposition to certain aspects of it.
The Freedom Front Plus highlighted significant financial risks and pointed out that the budget does not fully comply with the requirements of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
Specific issues raised include:
- Interest expenses arising from non-payment to bulk suppliers (such as water and electricity) are not included in the adjustment budget. Such expenses could be classified as unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure in terms of the MFMA.
- There are discrepancies between the Municipality’s budgeted and actual cash position, as well as a poor revenue collection record for recent years.
- The budget report confirms that poor collection has eroded the available surplus, so, the previously approved surplus is no longer available. This increases the risk of future financial instability, which could further hamper service delivery.
The Freedom Front Plus also emphasised that, in accordance with the Municipal Budget and Reporting Regulations (MBRR) and provincial procedures, the adjustment budget must first be submitted to the Gauteng Provincial Treasury for evaluation before being tabled to the Council for final approval.
Adopting a budget without proper provincial input could undermine responsible financial management and undermine oversight over public funds.
As a result of the budget’s rejection, the Speaker of the Emfuleni Council, Sibongile Soxuza, now needs to submit an application to the Provincial Treasury and the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, for an extension of the deadline for adopting the adjustment budget. A revised and more realistic budget will then have to be tabled to the Council.
The Freedom Front Plus views this outcome as an important step towards forcing the Municipality to develop a more responsible and realistic financial plan for the benefit of Emfuleni residents.
Such a plan should prioritise better financial management and sustainable service delivery over short-term solutions.
Die party bly daartoe verbind om konstruktief by te dra tot die verbetering van die munisipaliteit se finansies en diens aan gemeenskappe.
Freedom Front Plus Voter Base: The party’s voter base is concentrated in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and Free State.
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