The Freedom Front Plus and other opposition parties’ request to postpone the Langeberg Local Municipality’s council meeting to approve its draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year was rejected by the DA-controlled Council.
Opposition parties received the document of 1 450 pages the afternoon before the council meeting, leaving insufficient time to examine it thoroughly.
The Council’s own rules stipulate that the document has to be made available at least 48 hours in advance.
Moreover, opposition parties and community organisations have since highlighted significant errors in the budget.
Langeberg residents are deeply concerned about the Municipality’s financial management, and it is evident that capital reserves are steadily shrinking.
A particular cause for concern is the municipal collection rate, which has plummeted from 98% to 88%. The municipal billing system that collapsed plays a significant role in this decline.
In addition, the Freedom Front Plus considers the 8% increase for refuse removal unfair. This increase is needed to cover the cost of transporting waste from Robertson to a new landfill site established in Worcester. Four new refuse removal trucks also need to be procured for this. The party believes there is suitable land available for a new landfill site closer to Robertson, making the exorbitant tariff hike unnecessary.
Other tariff hikes include:
• An increase of 11,32% for electricity. However, the budget does not account for electricity theft, which results in an estimated 18% loss of electricity revenue.
• Water, sewage and property rates will all increase by 6%.
These increases amount to more than double the current inflation rate and are excessive. Residents cannot afford them.
Only 4% of the budget is earmarked for infrastructure maintenance, which is hopelessly too little. The Freedom Front Plus has called for better planning in this regard for years.
No provision is made for constructing infrastructure for new economic developments that could create jobs and generate revenue.
A spatial development plan was completed and land was earmarked for residential, commercial and industrial developments, yet this is not reflected anywhere in the budget.
This budget does not promote the interests of residents, and the Langeberg Municipality is clearly heading for financial disaster. The Freedom Front Plus will do everything in its power to avert this.
FF+ Manifesto on International cooperation: Engaging in international cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
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