Siphelele Nketo
THE mayor of the Umuziwabantu Local Municipality Siboniso Zungu has tabled a R301 million budget for the 2026/27 financial year.
Zungu said the plan prioritises strict fiscal discipline and essential service delivery. According to Zungu, who spoke at the municipal council meeting on May 29, the R301 million allocation includes R272 million for operational expenditure and R29 million for capital projects.
He described the budget as a continuation of the work that council began in 2021, emphasising the need to strengthen revenue collection, contain non-core spending, and ensure long-term financial sustainability.
To fund municipal services, the budget proposes increases to both property rates and electricity tariffs. Property rates will rise by 3.7%, while electricity tariffs have been adjusted upward by 11% in line with guidelines from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).
Zungu said the adjustments are necessary to ensure services are adequately funded and continue to reach households and businesses effectively.
“This budget is therefore not just a financial document. It is a continuation of the journey we began in 2021. It is a statement of commitment that, until the last day of council term, we will continue working to build a better, cleaner, safer and more inclusive Umuziwabantu,” he said.
He highlighted several achievements from the current council’s term, citing unqualified audit outcomes.
He said the municipality assisted communities with 280 temporary residential units and supported the construction of 332 disaster houses through the Department of Human Settlements. The municipality also directly built 41 two-room houses for disaster victims.
Zungu mentioned that the municipality will implement key capital projects already provided for in the budget. He said negotiations have started with Esayidi TVET College to revive the Harding campus. The mayor also promised a major announcement for the community soon. He said work will continue to stabilise electricity supply in Harding with municipal officials focusing on improving reliability, responding to faults and protecting local economic activity.
