It is evident that Merafong’s mandatory financial recovery plan, which came into effect in June 2024 and is currently in its implementation phase, is failing to improve the financial position of this ANC-controlled Local Municipality.
The Municipality’s current collection rate for basic services remains far below the level required to achieve any meaningful financial recovery.
The collection rate for March 2026 – the final month of the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year – stands at 59%, which is eight percentage points lower than in the first month of the financial year.
In respect of water sales, Merafong recorded a loss of 15,05% in March 2026, amounting to nearly R3 million, bringing the cumulative loss for the financial year to over R66 million.
Electricity sales performed significantly worse, with a monthly loss of 53,69% – equating to R24,4 million – and total losses for the financial year nearing R228 million.
Outstanding debt older than 30 days owed to bulk suppliers has continued to escalate, now totalling R1,9 billion to Eskom and R1,5 billion to Rand Water.
In addition to this poor performance, irregular expenditure of R9,8 million has been recorded.
And to crown it all, very little progress has been made with implementing the corrective measures prescribed by the Auditor-General (AG) following its qualified audit for the previous financial year.
Although the financial year is already three quarters underway, only 35 of the AG’s 87 findings have been successfully addressed.
While Merafong residents endure poor service delivery and low water pressure due to restrictive measures linked to outstanding debt, the Municipality keeps dragging its feet instead of taking decisive steps to improve conditions for the people.
Clearly, the ANC should not be allowed to keep driving Merafong over the edge of ruin.
Voters are being presented with a golden opportunity to register and oust the ANC from the Merafong Council at the polls.
Freedom Front Plus Youth Empowerment: The party focuses on empowering youth through education and job creation.
Tea Kettle
I know that this is off-topic so I will just jump right in and say that MyZA Directory has been great for my business.
Kamikaze Granny
The cab driver feels compelled to flesh the story out, as its just the husband he\’s talking to.
\”yeah I remember that last shore leave in Johannesburg, me and the lads gagging for some action, end up in a dive bar and met this girl, we got a room and she was the the worst fuck I\’ve ever had!\”
The wife says \”what did he say?\”.
Husband \”the cab driver he says he might know you!\”