Siphelele nketo

ALFRED Nzo District Municipality mayor Tsileng Sobuthongo has strongly criticised criminal activities that continue to hamper service delivery in the district.

She said the district municipality has been concerned by the prevalence of criminal activities including organised crime and water truck mafias alleged to be the force behind the destruction of water infrastructure for businesses across the district. She further condemned stock theft and business robberies as major threats to the safety of communities. On Thursday, July 9, Sobuthongo presented a 2026/27 budget of R1.742 billion in a packed State of the District Address, sitting in Matatiele. She said the 2026/27 Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework reflected a municipality that is committed to fiscal discipline, sustainable service delivery and people-centred development. 

“For the 2026/27 financial year, Alfred Nzo District Municipality has adopted a total operating revenue budget of R1.742 billion, increasing to R1.855 billion in 2027/28 and R1.910 billion in 2028/29,” she said, adding that this budget is primarily supported by R872.031 million in Equitable Share allocations, R562.650 million in national and provincial government grants, R172.022 million in internally generated revenue, and R135.242 million from operating reserves and investment income.

She said these resources will enable the municipality to continue delivering quality services while investing in long-term economic growth and infrastructure development.

She also acknowledged the water backlog in parts of the district: “We present this address fully aware of the serious shortfalls and backlogs we still have across the district on matters relating to water and sanitation. We are taking full responsibility as the district municipality and we are working around the clock to have solutions for the short, medium and long term.”