Tshwane DA Urges Budget Review to Ease Financial Strain on Residents
JOHANNESBURG – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane has issued a strong call for a thorough review of the City’s proposed 2025/26 budget, warning that the current draft unfairly increases the financial strain on residents already struggling with rising costs of living.
The opposition party claims the draft budget, soon to be presented by Finance MMC Eugene Modise, treats Tshwane residents like “cash cows,” prioritizing a facade of fiscal balance over genuine affordability and effective service delivery.
The ANC-led multiparty coalition in Tshwane has described the draft budget as the city’s first fully funded financial plan since 2021. However, the DA sharply disagrees, arguing that this so-called success was achieved by imposing heavier levies and tariffs on ratepayers who can least afford it.
DA caucus chairperson Jacqui Uys said the party could not support the budget in its current form, specifically condemning the proposed introduction of a new city cleansing levy. She also called for increasing the exemption threshold for rateable properties to R450,000 to protect lower-income homeowners.
“He [Modise] should craft a budget that genuinely serves the people of Tshwane, not one that helps the ANC create a misleading picture of financial health while residents bear the brunt,” Uys said. “If the city government wants to avoid pushing the costs of its financial recovery onto the backs of ordinary people, it must take the DA’s recommendations seriously.”
The DA warned that the ongoing strategy of extracting more money from residents to cover budget shortfalls risks eroding public trust and will ultimately weaken Tshwane’s capacity to deliver vital services equitably.
Already, strained relations between residents and local government over service delivery issues have made community trust fragile. The DA cautioned that introducing new levies or steep municipal charge increases will only exacerbate the divide.
The party is particularly critical of the budget’s failure to explore innovative revenue options or reduce wasteful spending in non-essential areas. Instead, the DA advocates for a more sustainable and resident-focused budget strategy.
Tshwane draft budget criticised for burdening already strained households
“Our vision for Tshwane is a municipality that balances its books responsibly, without overburdening those who are struggling the most,” said Uys. “We want a budget that protects vulnerable communities and maintains service quality — not one that pushes more people into financial hardship.”
As the city enters the final stages of public consultation on the budget, the DA is urging residents to actively participate and submit their views.
The DA remains committed to pushing for reforms that prioritize good governance, economic recovery, and fairness for all Tshwane residents.
In recent years, Tshwane has faced significant financial challenges, including revenue shortfalls and governance issues, which have impacted service delivery. The opposition says the budget must not rely on residents to “bail out” municipal finances but should reflect a clear, transparent plan to rebuild the city’s economy without sacrificing residents’ welfare.
The call from the DA also highlights growing public frustration in Tshwane over rising utility costs, property rates, and new municipal fees, which many feel are unsustainable amid national economic pressures.
“The people of Tshwane deserve a budget that helps them, not one that exploits their limited resources,” said Uys. “We are watching closely and will continue to hold the city accountable.”
The ANC-led coalition, meanwhile, defends the draft budget as a necessary step toward restoring Tshwane’s fiscal stability and ensuring consistent service delivery after years of financial strain.
The upcoming budget speech by Eugene Modise is expected to address these competing concerns, balancing the municipality’s funding needs with calls from opposition parties and residents for relief and fairness.
For now, the DA’s message is clear: without meaningful changes, the current budget risks deepening inequality and community dissatisfaction in Tshwane.
The political battle over the budget reflects broader tensions in local governance and the ongoing challenge of delivering services while managing limited resources.
As the deadline for budget approval approaches, all eyes remain on Tshwane officials to see whether they will heed calls for a fairer, more sustainable fiscal plan that puts residents first.
Source- EWN
